Under-23 AFCON: Nigeria Beats Zambia, To Brighten Qualification Chances

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Under-23 team, known as the ‘Dream Team VI’ defeated their Zambian counterpart? 3-1 to record their first win at the on-going Under-23 African Cup of Nations Championship in Egypt.

The coach Imama Amakapabo -led team had earlier lost their opening fixture, 1-0, to Ivory Coast at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt, but restored pride and brightened their chances of progressing to the last four of the competition

Peter Daka opened scoring in the match for the Zambians in the 10th minute, before Nigerian striker, Taiwo Awoniyi equalised for the Amakapabo lads.

The game ended 1-1 apiece in the first stanza of the match.

On resumption of the second half, the Under-23 team played like wounded lions, knowing a loss or a draw wouldn’t guarantee them a scale through to the knockout phase.

Arsenal Football Club loanee midfielder to the Dutch League, Kelechi Nwakali, gave the Under-23 team the lead on resumption of the second half to send the vociferous Nigerians at the stands into wild jubilation.

The Zambians didn’t rest on the oars as they pushed forward to restore parity. Unfortunately, the Nigerian team was up to the task, foiling all the attempts of their opponents.

Awoniyi completed his brace in the dying stages of the match to take the game beyond the reach of the Zambians.

With this victory, Nigeria has three Points from two games, likewise Ivory Coast which defeated Nigeria in the first match.

The Younger Bafana Bafana of South African team which tops the group with four points, is gearing up to face Nigeria in their last group match, knowing that a draw will see them through to the knockout stages.

Zambia remains bottom of the log with just a point from its 1-1 draw with South Africa.

All the teams in the group have equal chances to qualify as the group remains open. The last group matches remain the deciding factor