Nigeria’s Olympic Football Gold dream ended after they were beaten 2-0 by Germany in the semi-final. The Nigerians came into the match with championship pedigree. They looked to resemble the original Dream team of Atalanta 96 run for Gold.
Nigeria was going into the game without their star Oghenekaro Etebo who scored four in their first game against Japan and Okechukwu Azubuike who was from a suspension.
On the other hand, Germany had been a boogeyman that has haunted the Nigerians for the past decade plus. The rampaging Germany also seemed unstoppable with 19 goals in the Olympics alone before entering the match.
The Germans opened their scoring after Max Mayers found Gnabry’s driven pass to Schalke 04’s midfielder Lucas Klostermann, just eight minutes into the game. They continued to penetrate the Nigerian defence using their fast flanks.
Nigeria’s best chance came immediately after when the Germany Goalkeeper lost a throw to Sadiq Umar, but the AS Roma forward couldn’t pull the trigger
Mikel John Obi then found himself inside the box a few minutes later, after some excellent footwork he left two defenders for dead, but Matthias Ginter blocked his final shot.
The dream team VI was unable to keep up on the night after losing on most possessions which gave the disciplined Germany side an edge. Then, they brought on Saliu Popoola and Junior Ajayi late in the second half in search of goals. But, they failed to find clear chances through the perfect German defence.
The dream VI was then lucky to keep Ndifeke Udo after his uncalled for, two-footed challenge on Arsenals Serge Gnabry. Nigeria’s last chance saw Stanely Amuzie hit a free-kick wide.
The young Die Mannschaft then put the game out of reach in the 89th minute when Nils Petersen got to the end of Davie Selke’s pass, just four minutes after coming on for Mayer
Germanys will play hosts Brazil at the Maracana in the final as they search for their country’s first Olympic football gold medal.
Nigeria will face will face Honduras which lost 6-0 in the semi-final for the bronze medal match.
GERMANY’S ROUTE TO THE SEMIFINAL
Group stage
Mexico 2 Germany 2
Germany 10 Fiji 0
Germany 3 South Korea 3
Quarterfinal
Germany 4 Portugal 0
NIGERIA’S ROUTE TO THE SEMIFINALS
Group stage
Nigeria 5 Japan 4
Sweden 0 Nigeria 1
Colombia 2 Nigeria 0
Quarterfinals
Nigeria 2 Denmark 0
Featured Photo: John Mikel Obi After The Game(Image From 36NG)
