DREAM TEAM VI AVENGE TUNISIA DEFEAT

The National men's U-23 football team, Dream Team 5 restored some pride after they trounced Tunisia U-23 team three nil to put the double header friendly at one win at piece.

The victory avenged the 3-5 defeat earlier suffered in the hands of the Tunisians four days ago.

The game started on a very high tempo with coach Samson Siasia making 4 changes from the team that lost the first game, as new comers, Stanley Amuzie, Freedom Omofonma, Tonbara Tiongoli and Peter Onyekachi made their presence felt from the blast of the refs whistle.

The U23 players in training 

Striker Onyekachi was a thorn in the flesh of the Tunisians putting them under so much pressure while Tonbara was a handful for the defense line of the opponents, but if these players were a marvel, the defense got more stability with the introduction of Stanley Amuzie who kept the attackers of Tunisia at bay and was a force in attack. Peter Onyekachi earned dream team 5 a penalty after he was fouled in the 18 yard box of the Tunisians. The kick was converted by Oghenekaro Etebo in the 31st minute.

With the massive support from the few Nigerians led by Nigeria's ambassador to Tunisia Dr. Joseph Omede and members of staff of the embassy at the El Menzah Stadium, the Dream Team VI took control of all departments of the game piling pressure but could not get any goal before the end of the first half.

On resumption of the second half the Dream Team VI players continued from where they stopped in the first half as they pinned their opponents to their half of the field with mid field Marshall Azubuike Okechukwu combined well with Oghenekaro Etebo to put the Tunisians under so much pressure and in the 56th minute striker Peter Onyekachi made his presence felt as he punished the Tunisians with the second goal of the game.

Coach Siasia took out off form Freedom Omofoman and brought in Savior Godwin, this change galvanized the Nigerian attack resulting in the Tunisians conceding another penalty after one of their defenders had handled the ball from a pull out by Stanley Amuzie but the resultant kick was played over the bar by Etebo in the 70th minute.

This did not dampen the spirit of the Dream Team VI players as they continued to pile pressure and in the 87th minute Godwin Savior put the icing on the cake with the third goal after running down the defense line of the Tunisians to release a thunder of a shot which the goalkeeper had to answer to.

Reacting after the game Coach Samson Siasia said his boys won because they played to instructions, and have been able to settle down, knowing that they needed to win the game.

"The boys needed this game to boost their morale and confidence and they went all out for it, this victory will make them play harder and hopefully they will play more like a team"

For his part the Tunisian coach Nizar Khanfir said the Dream Team were the better side as they have settled down to play football, compared to what they played in the first leg.

"My boys got carried away with the 3-5 victory of the Nigerians thinking they can beat them any time, but the better Nigerian team gave them some football lessons they won't forget in a hurry"

The encounter was watched by the Tunisia minister of sports Sabeun Bouatti and the general secretary of the Tunisia Football Association Wajdi Aoucedi

The Dream Team VI will depart for Nigeria on Thursday by 2.15pm aboard Emirates airline

ENITAN OBADINA

@enitanoba