Europe - Bound Oghenekaro Etebo Says Dream Team Wanted To Make Olympic Qualification Sweeter

Oghenekaro Etebo has insisted that the Dream Team was motivated to win the trophy on Saturday and dismissed talk that money played a key role in their victory after the players’ outstanding bonuses were paid hours leading up to the game.

With the Nigeria U23s going into the break a goal up, victory was achieved, first and foremost, because goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel did not concede for the third game in a row in the second half.

“I won’t say we left our best for the final but we all have been motivated because everybody wanted to win the trophy despite that we had already qualified for the Olympics. To make it sweeter, we wanted to go for Gold,” Oghenekaro Etebo told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“We made mistakes that cost us in the earlier games but we fixed them because we lost concentration in the first two games in the second half and we promised ourselves to fix it right which we did.”

After putting himself in the shop window thanks to his impressive performance in Senegal, Etebo’s future with Warri Wolves has been the subject of intense speculation, with reports linking him with a move to Portugal.

“Well, hopefully I think I am off to Europe which has always been my prayer and I believe it has come to pass. Clubs are already talking with me, ” the Dream Team number 8 concluded.

Oghenekaro Etebo scored 5 goals in 5 matches to win the top scorer award at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, with the attacking midfielder converting four penalty kicks.

Photo Credit : thenff.com