Senegal defender Ousseynou Thioune handled the ball inside his box after a collision with goal keeper Pape Ndiaye and even though Eyo Ebong tapped in, Moroccan Referee Jiyed pointed to the Spot and sent the defender off. Having scored twice against Egypt -from the spot-, stand-in captain, Oghenekaro Etebo stepped forward, took a few yards from the ball and his kick rattled the very foundation of the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor as the Nigeria started on their way to the final of the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations and the biggest prize of all; a ticket to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Saisia’s team had previously kept just one clean sheet in the competition – against Algeria- and the Coach did not mind naming the same back four on the very grounds where the Teranga Cubs had condemned all three group opponents.
The hosts had conceded once but have never had to come from behind as they put teams to the sword in a dominant display through the group stages.
Nigeria on their part had entered the game as underdogs with a defense that was suspect and a host of key starters missing from the line up.
And true to the pre-match predictions, the 1996 and 2008 Olympic medal winners have trailed only barely holding on thanks to the chivalry of their Shot Stopper; Emmanuel Daniel, who also kept Nigeria’s Dream Team VI in the game after Redouane Jiyed awarded a controversial penalty in the final minute of the first half additional time.
Ibrahim Keita’s kick was a gift, weak and poor taken and Daniel was all to glad, diving to his right to save and stun what was hitherto an expectant crowd inside the 60,000 capacity Stadium.
The Nigerian square in Dakar will surely be alive tonight because Victor Osimhen will party as will Samson Siasia; the Coach, for the chance he took and that given.
The youngster was a thorn in the side of the Senegalese defence each time the ball was booted forward by the Nigerian defence or midfield.
If the price paid for becoming the first team to secure an Olympic ticket in the confederation should not be costly, Osihmen may make the starting XI in the final as an accumulation of cautions for Etebo will rule him out of the final.
Unfortunately, Daniel will also miss the final as would defender Amaefule Chizoba.
Nonetheless, until then its time for Siasia to revel in his prediction to ensure Nigeria play 5 matches including the final and end up with an Olympic ticket and the U-23 Afcon title.
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