Abuja- The national under-23 team, the Dream Team VI, on Monday beat Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubside Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt 1-0 at the ongoing Super 4 Invitational Tournament.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match played at the Abuja National Stadium saw Dolphins make three changes to the side which lost 0-2 on Saturday.
Christian Pyagbara replaced Ifeanyi Egwim upfront, while Togolese defender Joseph Douhadji also replaced veteran Victor Ezuruike, while Chidiebere Okolie started and Isiaka Olawale was dropped to the bench.
The NPFL side’s tactics looked like yielding early result as the under-23s were pegged back in their own half in the first 15 minutes.
Pyagbara had a chance to give Dolphins the lead in the third minute, but his shot was saved by the Dream Team VI’s goalkeeper Daniel Emmanuel.
It was not until the 17th minute that the Dream Team VI had a chance of their own and began to impose themselves on the game.
Michael Ibe was gifted with a shooting chance, but rather chose to pass the ball and the loose ball was cleared by Dolphins’ defence.
The Dream Team had another lovely chance to open scoring in the 19th minute but Christopher Madaki’s left-footed shot from 30 yards flew inches away from target.
Usman Mohammed’s free kick was also tipped away by Dolphins goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday in the 25th minute as they continued to hit the right strings with short and accurate passes.
Dolphins took control of the game again in the dying minutes of the first half and could have gone ahead in the 38th minute.
However, Jonathan Zikiye’s left-footed shot from the edge of the box after a cross by Victor Alegbe went off target.
Dolphins continued from where they left off at the break as they began to pile more pressure on the Dream Team’s defence in the second half.
Pyagbara could have made their domination count in the 52nd minute when he found himself free in the box with only goalkeeper Emmanuel to beat, but he nodded the ball wide.
Dolphins were then made to rue their chances when Newman Doubra benefitted from an error by Rotimi to tap into the net in the 61st minute for the Dream Team.
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Dolphins in the 75th minute hopefully threw in Hope Fiberesima for Emeka Atuloma, while Egwim replaced Pyagbara as they went in search of the much-needed equaliser.
The changes nearly paid off a minute later, after a great interchange of passes by Dolphins found Omo Johnson free in the penalty box.
But his shot was saved by goalkeeper Emmanuel.
NAN reports that, after two games, the Flying Eagles and the Dream Team sit atop the tournament’s table with six points each, though the former are ahead on goals difference.
Kano Pillars and Enyimba are behind them on three points each, while Dolphins FC and Warri Wolves are currently at the bottom of the table with no point each.
The tournament which kicked off on Saturday is expected to end on Feb. 1.(NAN)
