Rising star, Taiwo Awoniyi, yesterday handed Nigeria’s U-23 national team, the Dream Team VI, a ticket to participate in the Men’s football event at the 11th All Africa Games holding in Congo Brazzaville in September.
The Flying Eagles’ ace scored twice, one in each half of the crucial encounter played at the National Heroes’ Stadium in Lusaka, to give the Nigerian team a 2-1 aggregate after both sides played out a barren draw in the first leg at the Abuja National Stadium on March 22.
Awoniyi was one of the Flying Eagles’ players Coach Samson Siasia drafted to the Dream Team on a desperate rescue mission after the dicey goalless draw in the first leg in Abuja, and the leggy forward did not disappoint.
Zambia was favourite to go through in the final round of the qualifiers and was aiming to cause an upset against the 1996 Olympic Games Football Champions.
Siasia’s wards came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 4th minute when Godwin Saviour burst clear off two defenders and placed a low shot which the keeper confidently gathered.
Nineteen minutes later the hosts hit the upright, with goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel clearly beaten; but Awoniyi encapsulated his killer instinct in the 34th minute when he put Nigeria in front. The Flying Eagles almost made it two just before halftime but the Zambian keeper kept it out at a second grab.
The first 45 minutes ended with the disappointed Lusaka fans booing the Fighton Simukonda-tutored side.
Saviour was menacing down the flank with his pace and direct approach but failed to punish the Zambians when presented with golden early in the half.
The midfield combination of Azubuike Okechukwu and Kinsgley Sokari was commendable as the duo formed a lethal partnership.
Zambia resorted to long balls into the danger area of the Dream Team, but the defence line marshalled by Captain Erhun Obanor rose to the challenge but Friday Samu eventually equalized for the homers in the 78th minute.
