Nigeria’s Dream Team VI, minutes ago in Senegal finished their Under-23 team Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash with hosts Senegal guaranteed a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics football event in Brazil.

The Samson Siasia boys survived several scares from the Young Terenga Lions to run away from the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, venue of the encounter with an unreplied lone courtesy of penalty specialist Etebo Oghenekaro.

A mix-up between goalkeeper Seydou and defender Thioune had let in a charging Kufre Ebong, but before he could shoot into an empty goal Thioune, sprawled on the pitch, held on to the ball in a desperate bid to prevent Ebong from scoring. For that, he was sent off and a penalty kick awarded to Nigeria, which skipper Etebo, who scored two penalties against Egypt at the group stages, tucked into the net.

Nigeria had come close to having their backs against the wall as the first half was concluding when goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel fouled Dieng Chekhou inside his own box but he made amends when he saved Sory Keita’s penalty moments later. Daniel pulled off several other saves in the course of the game to emerge as Nigeria’s hero of the afternoon.

•Sourced from DailySports.com. Photo shows Dream Team VI goalie Emmanuel Daniel.