Nigeria U-23 team, Dream Team, failed to earn a straight semi-final place, following a 2-2 draw with Junior Pharaohs of Egypt at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal on Wednesday.
Two well –taken kicks from the penalty shot Nigeria into a comfortable 2-0 at half time, but as happened against Mali on Sunday, Siasia’s boys switched off in the second half and almost lost the match.
Etebo Oghenekaro got the first goal in the 21st minute as the ball rocked an Egyptian defender in the box with Stanley Dimgba running riot from the left. The second came nine minutes later, as another onslaught by Nigeria was foiled by the hand of an Egyptian defender.
But Egypt rallied and scored two goals within the first six minutes of the second half – a development that should really bother Coach Samson Siasia, his team fallen apart also in the second half against the Malians.
Mali has been eliminated, but with Algeria and Nigeria on four points each (Algeria defeated Mali 2-0 earlier on Wednesday), the Dream Team must defeat Algeria on Saturday to make sure of a place in the semi-finals.
A draw against Algeria could get Nigeria into the last four, should Egypt fail to defeat Mali.
Incidentally, Algeria was also the Dream Team’s final group phase opponents at the inaugural Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Morocco four years ago. Nigeria won 4-1, but went out of the tournament having lost her first two matches to Morocco and Senegal.
In Group, host Senegal are assured of a place in the last four following a 2-0 defeat of Tunisia, taking their tally to six points (having beaten South Africa 3-1 in their first match). South Africa, who defeated Zambia 3-2, will contest the second ticket from the group against Tunisia on Friday.
Mali and Zambia have been eliminated.
