Sports
Rio Highlights – Sweden v Nigeria
AS Roma striker Sadiq Umar’s 40th minute strike made the difference in a game that saw the African champions dominate possession but culd n ot score pass a lone goal. Nigeria progressed to the quarter-finals at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 after a 1-0 victory over Sweden in Group B thanks to a Sadiq Umar header at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus.
The match saw both sides played conservatively, but it was Nigeria who looked more threatening in attack.
Oghenekaro Etebo attempted several shots in the half—with his right foot, left foot and with his head—but he was unable to get the better of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Linde to add to his tally of 4 goals.
Nigeria eventually found the opener six minutes from time, when Stanley Amuzie delivered a pinpoint, curling cross in open play from the left wing that found Umar and the Roma man made no mistake, scoring with a diving header.
The Africans continued their dominance in the second half, and just three minutes in, captain John Obi Mikel fired a well-driven shot from the top of the area saved by Linde.
The Dream Team will on Wednesday close out group play against Colombia in Sao Paulo, while Sweden have a must-win match ahead against Japan in Salvador if they are going to continue their Rio 2016 journey.
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