#Rio2016 Nigeria vs Honduras (3 – 2); Full Olympics Match Report
Mikel Obi, midfielder, lead his Nigeria teammates out in Mineirão against Honduras, who were thrashed 6-0 by hosts Brazil in their semi-final match, in the men’s bronze medal game.
While the team’s goal of giving Coach Samson Siasia a gold medal for birthday might not have been achieved, we are all proud of their remarkable sacrifices and efforts in coming third after Brazil and Germany(third place could not have been better).
Nigeria won bronze at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 after an entertaining 3-2 win against Honduras in Belo Horizonte’s Estadio Mineirao.
Samson Siasia’s side enjoyed a three-goal advantage shortly before the hour mark thanks to Sadiq Umar’s brace and Aminu Umar’s 49th minute goal, but Honduras gave the African side a late scare as Antony Lozano and Marcelo Pereira reduced the deficit to just one goal.
Nigeria started brightly and put Honduras under early pressure. They came agonisingly close to taking the lead on seven minutes when Mikel John Obi found Aminu Umar, whose effort struck both posts. Umar had another good opportunity minutes later but was denied by goalkeeper Luis Lopez.
Honduras were not without their chances, however, and Nigeria shot-stopper Emmanuel Daniel was called into action to deny Alberth Elis on 11 minutes. The forward then had a golden opportunity on 33 minutes when he broke through the Nigeria defence with his blistering pace but Daniel held firm to deny the Olimpia man.
Meanwhile at #Rio2016, @mikel_john_obi and Nigeria have won #bronze at the Olympic football tournament. Congratulations!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2016
The Central Americans were made to rue that missed opportunity as Nigeria took the lead just a minute later. Mikel demonstrated his splendid technique by dribbling into the box and finding Sadiq Umar, who fired the Africans into the lead.
Aminu Umar doubled Nigeria’s advantage four minutes after the break, while Sadiq Umar’s second of the game left Siasia’s side cruising on 56 minutes.
But Honduras soon showed they were not down and out. Lozano pulled one back for Jorge Luis Pinto’s side on 71 minutes, before Pereira cut Nigeria’s advantage to just one goal after heading home Oscar Salas’ free-kick. The fightback was not enough, however, as Nigeria held firm to secure their first Olympic medal since Beijing 2008.
Team Nigeria finally secured her first medal in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the football event.
AS Roma forward’s double, Sadiq Umar and Aminu Umar’s strike were all Samson Siasia’s side needed to emerge the the bronze medalist of Rio Olympics men’s football event .
Honduras hope to win her first ever medal in the Olympic games was dashed as the Nigerian Under 23 side signed off Rio Olympics with a 3-2 victory in Belo Horizonte.
While the team’s goal of giving Coach Samson Siasia a gold medal for birthday might not have been achieved, we are all proud of their remarkable sacrifices and efforts in coming third after Brazil and Germany(third place could not have been better).
Honduras squad
Goalkeepers: Harold Fonseca, Luis Lopez
Defenders: Kevin Alvarez, Brayan Garcia, Johnny Palacios, Jonathan Paz, Marcelo Pereira, Elder Torres, Allans Vargas
Midfielders: Bryan Acosta, Allan Banegas, Jhow Benavidez, Brayan Ramirez, Oscar Salas
Forwards: Alberth Elis, Kevin Lopez, Antony Lozano, Romell Quioto
Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi, Emmanuel Daniel
Defenders: Muenfuh Sincere, Kingsley Madu, Shehu Abdullahi, Saturday Erimuya, William Troost-Ekong, Ndifreke Udo, Stanley Amuzie
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo, Mikel John Obi, Popoola Saliu, Azubuike Okechukwu, Usman Mohammed
Forwards: Aminu Umar, Imoh Ezekiel, Junior Ajayi, Umar Sadiq
