Dream Team Brought Back To Reality After 2-0 Loss To Colombia

Nigeria bowed 2-0 to Colombia in their final Group B match on Thursday morning in Sao Paulo.

The South Americans deserved their win as they were the hungrier of the two teams as the Dream Team XI never really got going after they had booked their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare.

This was the first-ever meeting between Nigeria and Colombia at the Olympics.

Samson Siasia made five changes to his starting XI against Colombia with goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, Sodiq Popoola, Ndifreke Effiong, Kingsley Madu and Umar Aminu starting for the first time in the championship.

Captain Teofilo Guiterrez fired past Nigeria goalkeeper Akpeyi for the opening goal of the game in the 4th minute. It was his third goal of the competition.

Five minutes later, there was a sigh of relief for the African champions.  Guiterrez lost his footing inside the Nigeria box, after he was set up by his team mate.

Darlon Pabon wasted a simple chance to double Colombia lead after he chipped beyond the diving Akpeyi, but the effort, was way off the mark.

A top class save by Akpeyi denied Colombia a second goal. The Chippa United custodian dived at full length to scoop away a goal-bound header by Borja.

Oghenekaro Etebo flashed his shot wide from inside the box after he was set up by Sadiq Umar. It was a  missed chance for Nigeria.

One minute after the half hour, goalkeeper Bonilla blocked Etebo’s free kick with his leg.

At the end of the first stanza, the South Americans were still leading 1-0.

A goalmouth melee could have resulted in a goal for Nigeria but somehow Colombia cleared their lines eventually.

Colombia had a big chance to double their lead from the penalty spot after Akpeyi was booked for fouling Harold Preciado inside the box.

Pabon stepped forward and converted his spot kick with ease.

With sixteen minutes left, Preciado failed to direct his shot on goal after he controlled the long ball that beat the Sincere Seth completely.

Siasia was dealt a crushing blow when Etebo was forced off due an injury he sustained  as Nigeria finished the game with 10 players, having exhausted their substitutions.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fifa.com