Nigeria’s Dream Team VI minutes ago defeated hard-fighting Algeria 2-1 in the final of this year’s Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Dakar, Senegal.

Two goals by the tournament’s leading scorer Oghenekaro Etebo was only halved by an own goal by Nigeria defender Segun Oduduwa.

Nigeria were rewarded for their daring attacking football and they could have gone ahead in the first five minutes through FIFA U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen, who was getting his first start in this championship.

However, the Nigeria Dream Team VI finally took the lead after 14 minutes from the penalty spot after Etebo drove into the Algeria goal area and was brought down by Ayoub Abdellaoui for a penalty.

The Warri Wolves midfielder dusted himself up to tuck the penalty home after sending goalkeeper Sahli the wrong way.

Nigeria continued to boss the possession, but Algeria fought back to draw level on the half hour when Zinedine Ferhat’s dangerous cross from the right was headed home by Oduduwa into his own net.

Etebo will then restore Nigeria’s lead in the 41st minute when he again drove into the Algerian defence before firing past the onrushing goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the competition.

Algeria got an opportunity to draw level in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Amorkrane was brought down in the vita area by Oduduwa. However, goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, who is fast carving out a niche for himself as an expert in saving penalties, saved Ferhat’s kick to leave scores at Nigeria 2 Algeria 1. All efforts by the North Africans to even scores proved abortive till the end of the match.

•Sourced from DailySportsng.com. Photo shows two-goal hero Oghenekaro Etebo on duty.

Update news