18 June 2011
Nigeria’s Dream Team V will be looking for goals from Warri Wolves striker Ekigho Ehiosun to bury visiting Tanzania in a win or bust Olympic qualifier Saturday.
Star-studded Nigeria lost the first leg in Tanzania 1-0 and are widely expected to cancel this deficit to reach the final tournament in December which will produce the three automatic qualifiers for next year’s Olympics in London.
The Dream Team have thus far swamped their opponents with goals at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City – they thrashed Equatorial Guinea 5-0 and followed that up with a 6-1 pummelling of Liberia.
The Dream Team dominated their first clash against the East Africans, created a score of chances but still failed to convert any as Vijana Stars eventually ran away 1-0 winners.
“We created many chances but we did not take any. But in the return leg, it will be a different ball game,” assistant coach, Ben Iroha, told MTNFootball.com.
The Nigeria Olympic team have also suffered injuries to several players like AC Milan ace Nnamdi Oduamadi, Rabiu Ibrahim, Daniel Uchechi and Odion Ighalo.
The Lillestrom duo of Nosa Igiebor were tied down by their Norwegian club.
Coach Austin Eguavoen will therefore be looking for new match winners like Ehiosun, who has already rattled four goals for the Dream Team.
The Warri Wolves striker, who has scored 10 goals in the Nigeria Premier League, missed the first leg as it clashed with a Nations Cup qualifier in Ethiopia.
Another full international striker, Ahmed Musa, has also teamed up after initial doubts about his fitness. He will make his debut for the Olympic team on Saturday after he has featured for the Under-20 national team, Eagles ‘B’ team and the Super Eagles.
The Dream Team will not be lacking fire power – Kwara United striker Kabiru Sanusi, who has also banged home 10 goals in the NPL, has also been called up as have Enyimba striker Josiah Maduabuchi and Vietnam-based Gani Oseni.
Krybas of Ukraine left winger Babatunde Michael has impressed in training and he or Scotland-based Sone Aluko is a likely replacement for the injured Oduamadi.
It is a must-win clash for the sipper Lukman Haruna squad, who will entertain arch-rivals Ghana next week Saturday also in Benin in a 2011 All Africa Games qualifier.
The Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Dele Ajiboye, Theophilus Afelokhia, Olufemi Thomas
Defenders: Suswan Terna, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Usman Amoda, Nurudeen Orelesi, Kingsley Udoh, Dimaku Tochukwu, Edet Ibok
Midfielders: Obiora Nwankwo, Harmony Ikande, Solomon Okpako, Saka Ayo, Eneji Otekpa, Lukman Haruna
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Sone Aluko, Azuka Izu, Osas Okoro, Maduabuchi Josiah, Ekigho Ehiosun, Kabiru Sanusi, Babatunde Mikel, Oseni Ganiyu, Barnabas Imenger.
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Can Ehiosun save Dream Team?