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Dream Team Keeps Dream Alive

The Nigeria U23 team defeated Libya's U23 4-0 to progress to the next round of the 2019 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as Osimhen grabs hattrick.


It was a resounding victory for the Dream team as they overturned a two goal deficit suffered in the first leg.
Coach Imama Amapakabo left no stone unturned as he rejigged the squad that went down in Tunis by drafting in Francis Uzoho, Osimhen, Chidozie Awaziem and Valentine Ozoruwafor from the Super Eagles to the Olympics team.
It was a tedious opening 20 minutes as the Dream team struggle to find the openings while the Libyans  comfortably held on to their defensive strategies in the scorching 33°c weather temperature in Asaba. Taiwo Awoniyi failed to capitalize on a gifted opportunity in the 14 minutes as the Libyan goalkeeper parried Nwakali's freekick to his path at a close range. But Osimhen broke the deadlock in the half-hour mark when he pounce on a rebound as the Libyan goalkeeper failed to deal with another Nwakali's ferocious freekick.
Few minutes later the woodwork denied Nigeria from doubling their lead as Chukwueze's freekick hit the up right.

The aggregate score line was levelled in the second half as Sporting Chalerio striker Osimhen scored the second and third goal after clinically tapping-in from yet another Libya's goalkeeper howler and rounded off his hattrick slotting into the net via a lovely Nwakali through ball.

In the 90th minutes Osimhen turned provider when his deft back-heel pass found it way to Okereke as the substitute forward converted calmly to end the young Mediterranean of Libya any hope of come back.

Nigeria awaits the winner of the match between Sudan and Kenya for the last round of the qualifying series.


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