Sadiq Umar Flops As Nigeria Lose To Germany At Rio 2016

African champions Nigeria were denied a place in the final of the men’s football tournament at Rio 2016, courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Germany.

An early strike put Germany on course for victory on the day’s second semi, Lukas Klostermann powered home in the area.

Nils Peterson doubled the European side’s lead late in the game.

Abia Warriors utility player Ndifreke Effiong replaced suspended Azubuike Okechukwu in Nigeria’s starting line up.

Umar Aminu kept his place in Nigeria first team after he slotted in for the injured Oghenekaro Etebo in the quarterfinal against Denmark and scored.

The crowd at the Arena Corinthians fully supported the African champions and booed every move of the Germans.

Germany deservedly went in front nine minutes into the game. Klostermann scored from Maximilian Meyer’s low cross.

Nigeria got a chance to draw level afterwards but Sadiq Umar failed to take a gift presented by Germany goalie Timo Horn right inside the box. It was a criminal miss on the part of the AS Roma forward.

In the 20th minute, Nigeria goalie Emmanuel Daniel made a point-blank save off Lars Bender.

With half an hour played, Germany maintained their one-goal lead as first, Sadiq Umar and then Mikel Obi came close to getting an equaliser from inside the box.

Daniel then got a hand to a through ball, it was a timely intervention by the goalkeeper to deny the lurking Serge Gnabry.

Selke should have scored a second goal for Germany but the close attention of Troost-Ekong put him off from connecting a dangerous low cross from the right home.

Nigeria knew they had to step up their game if they were to stand any chance of reaching the Gold medal match against hosts Brazil at the Maracana on Saturday.

The Germans continued from where they stopped in the second half, tormenting and running rings round the African team.

Gnabry was denied by a fine save by Daniel, who pushed a goal-bound shot for a corner and moments after, Gnabry and Selke combined to open the defence, but still failed to double the lead.

Germany attacked again and Ekong cleared the danger for a corner, moments later the lively Gnabry’s left-footed shot screamed over the bar.

Sadiq drew a foul, and earned Nigeria a free kick in a good position. Mikel’s strike crashed against the side netting.

The match ended as a contest with one minute left on the clock. Substitute Petersen bagged the goal when he tapped home from an acute angle.

Nigeria Starters: Emmanuel Daniel, Shehu Abdullahi, Stanley Amuzie, Sincere Seth, William Troost-Ekong,Ndifreke Effiong, Usman Mohammed, Mikel Obi, Umar Aminu, Sadiq Umar,Imoh Ezekiel

Germany Starters: Horn, Tolijan,Klostermann, Ginter, Suele, S.Bender, Meyer (captain), L. Bender, Selke, Brandt, Gnabry

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fifa.com