SENEGAL 2015: Pharaohs delay Dream Team’s Rio 2016 ticket

BY JOE APU
THE Dream Team V I t utored b y Coach Samson Siasia
have their hope of being in Rio 2016 football event now
hanging in the balance as they played out a 2-2 draw
against Egypt in their second Group B game Wednesday
night.
The young Pharaohs though with two points from two
games are still in contention with a game in hand against
Mali on Saturday thus have delayed Nigeria’s berth in the
semi finals.
The Siasia boys started the game on a good note winning
two penalties in quick succession to go 2-0 up in the first
half with Ogenekaro Etebo converting both effectively.
But on the start of the second half, the Egyptians came out
smoking and substitute Karim plotted Egypt remarkable
fight back as within minutes of the restart Egypt pulled a
goal back through Ramdan Sobi’s header from inside the
six-yard box.
They then drew level in the 52nd minute when Karim
dashed down the right flank before he delivered a low
cross which was sliced by Nigeria defender Chizoba
Amaefule into his own net.
Algeria, who beat Mali 2-0 in the earlier game of the day,
are now top of the standings with four points and a better
goals difference than Nigeria.
Egypt are third with two points, while Mali are pointless
and have already been eliminated from the competition,
which doubles as a qualifier for next year’s Rio Olympics.
The top three from the tournament will claim places at the
men’s football tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games in
Rio.