They Have No Chance In Nigeria, Eguavoen

The Chief Coach of Nigeria's Under 23,Austin Eguavoen, has declared that the Vijana Stars of Tanzania have no chance against the Dream Team V, in the return leg second round Olympic game qualifier a forthnight in Nigeria.

Eguavoen who made this statement after watching his wards fall one nil to the young Taifa stars inside the Dares-Salaam National stadium, said his players would had wrap up the match if his players had converted their scoring chances.

“ Because it’s a two legged game that give us the opportunity to get it right in the return leg. We lost a lot of scoring chances, if we had converted them it would have been a different story all together, we will eliminate them” Eguavoen boasted.

While admitting that the Tanzanians were a good side, the former Super Eagles coach maintained that the Vijana stars have no chance against the Dream team V in the return leg.

“The Victory is no doubt a good one for Tanzania, but they have no chance against us in the return leg at home. Don’t forget that most of this players we paraded here just concluded their seasons in Europe playing well over thirty to forty matches and sometimes wear and tear comes in qualifiers like this but that is not an excuse, the Vijana Stars were lucky on the evening, we had our chances we could not bury them, they had one chance they scored and that’s football for you but one thing that I am sure of is that this team will be beaten in Nigeria” he stated.

On his part, Chief Coach of the Vijana Stars, Jamhuri Kihwelo attributed his team’s victory to determination. “ We were determined from the start of the game not to let Tanzanians done that is why we took the game to the Nigerians. I warned my boys not to show any respect to the star studded side of Nigeria and this worked” He said after the game.

He also confessed that “we were playing without four of our keys players who are in action for the National side in the Cup of nation qualifiers, but I believe they would be back for the return leg and I do know that it would not be an easy one because we know the Nigeria Dream team have a slaughter ground in Bini I guess. He stated jokingly to Nigerian journalist.

The Dream Team V got off to a good start inside the first 5 minutes of the game winning two corner kicks and dominating play. However the Vijana stars of Tanzania still basking in the Euphoria of their elimination of West African giants, Cameroon showed no form of respect for the Nigeria side which were yet to test defeat in the qualifier.

They took the game to the Dream Team V, with their tormentor in-chief Ulimwengu Emmanuel leading the offensive on the defense of the National U-23 with support from their N0 10 jersey, Juan Omar who won the Vijana stars their first corner kick in the 6th min but the defense line of the Nigeria Olympic team was up to the task as they contained the situation.

In the 9th minute the Dream team turned defense to attack as Granada of Spain striker Odion Igalo broke lose, shots, but saved by goal keeper Sief Juma.

The First half was cagey as both sides capitalized on mistakes, counter attacks and forced errors; however this did not produce any goal.

The second 45 minutes started with the Dream team on the offensive, Odion Igalo breaks lose after getting through pass from Nnamdi Oduamadi, he shots but was wide.

Again in the 46th minute, from the midfield Nosa Igiebor connects Odion Igalo, he beats one defender, pushes the ball ones, shots but fails to pick the angel.


In the 48th minute Osas Okoro comes in for Azuka Izu. In the 65th minute, Osas connects Nnamdi Oduamadi, the AC Milan ace flicks his usual leg over beats two defenders on the edge of the 18 yard box, Odion Igalo breaks off to the right, Nnamdi again connects Odion. Odion is one on one with goal keeper shots……. But Sief Juma makes the save so simple.

66th min Anthony Ujah comes in for Odion Igalo made several efforts but all to nothing. 82nd minute, Tanzania capitalize on an error in the midfield. Ball is flooted wide left, to Juan Omar, he wastes no time throws in a diagonal cross finds the head of Ulimwengu Emmanuel and that was it.

This is the first defeat of the Dream Team V, in both the Olympic and All Africa games qualifiers.

The return leg holds in a forth night.