All hopes of Nigeria winning gold in the football event ofRio 2016 Olympic Games have been dashed as Dream Team VI were beaten 2-0 by Germany in the semi-finals.
A Lukas Klostermann’s 10th minute goal and a late strike byNils Petersen were all Germany needed to progress to the final at the expense of Nigeria.
The game started at a slow pace as both teams were careful not to concede an early goal.
Arsenal forward, Serge Gnabry was booked as early as the third minute after a challenge on Nigeria’s Imoh Ezekiel.
The German continued to see more of the ball to trouble the susceptible Nigerian defence.
In the 10th minute, they got on the score-sheet as Klostermann tapped into an empty net after getting on the end of a cross.
After conceding the goal, Nigeria U-23 side had their chance to level almost immediately.
Sadiq Umar got on the ball after a mistake from the German goalkeeper; with just the Germany number one to beat, Umar’s shot was saved.
Ndifreke Effiong was lucky to remain on the pitch, getting just a yellow card for a dangerous two footed tackle in the 19th minute.
Dream Team Captain John Mikel Obi almost leveled for Nigeria in the 31st minute. The Chelsea midfielder did well to dribble two players but his strike deflected off a German defender.
The Germans continued to trouble the Nigerian defence and nearly doubled the lead in the 34th minute but a Max Myer's shot from the edge of the area went inches wide.
A Mikel Obi free-kick went off target in the 63rd minute as Nigeria continued to chase the equalizer.
Gnabry had an effort deflected for a corner, while a Stanley Amuzie free-kick went off target.
With Nigeria chasing a leveler, Germany struck through a counter attack. Petersen got to the end of a cross to fire German’s second goal in the 88th minute.
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