Dream Team held by Zambia in AAG qualifier.
Nigeria’s Under-23 football team, the Dream Team VI, on Sunday drew 0-0 against Zambia in an All Africa Games qualifier.
The Nigerians started on the front foot and could have easily been three goals up inside the opening 30 minutes at the Abuja National Stadium.
Warri Wolves striker Oghenekaro Etebo was the biggest culprit as he missed three glorious chances when faced with the Zambian goalkeeper.
Nigeria continued to probe but the Zambian backline held firm, much to consternation and frustration of the home faithful.
The Dream Team VI continued to dominate in the second half with Etebo missing two more clear-cut chances in the second half.
The Zambians hardly ventured out of their half all game but held out for a heroic draw.
Head coach of the Nigeria side, Samson Siasia refused to sound pessimistic afterwards, stating that his side were “superior” and would get the job done in the second leg.
He was, however, less than pleased with Etebo who, on more than one occasion, tried to score rather pass to a better-positioned teammate.
“You all saw what (Etebo) was trying to do. He tried to go for glory rather than pass to a teammate.
“All the same, if they (Zambia) could come here and get a draw, we could go there and beat them 2-0. We are not going to relent; we will give our best in the second leg.
“We did very well. We kept possession and created chances in the first half.
“The fact that we did not score today (on Sunday) does not mean this is a bad team. We only have to improve in our finishing,” Siasia said at the post-match press conference.
The second leg in Zambia comes up in two weeks.