Nigeria Midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo was the Star of the day, on Thursday morning when Nigeria beat Japan 5-4.
The National Under 23 Team of Nigeria started off their Olympic campaign at the Arena da Amazonia with a brilliant result against Japan despite the travel issues they had to face before their arrival in Brazil hours before the game.
Etebo was the man of the match when he scored four goals to give Nigeria the full three points in the group stage.
Nigeria’s Sadiq Umar opened the scoring, five minutes into the game before Japan’s Shinzo Koroki equalised from the penalty spot. Oghenakaro Etobo put the African side back in front, only for Takumi Minamino to again make things all square.
Etebo put Nigeria ahead few minutes before halftime and completed his hat trick after 50 minutes and his forth in the 65th minute to make it 5-2.
The Japanese tried a comeback late into injury but the Nigerians held on till the final whistle when the game ended 5-4.
However, In Nigeria’s Group, Colombia and Sweden played out 2-2 draw to make Africans top the group.
Nigeria’s next play is with European champions. Sweden on Sunday night, also at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus.
In a related development, in group A, Brazil were held to a goalless draw by 10-man South Africa while Iraq’s game also ended goalless.
In group C, South Korea smashed Fiji 8-0 while defending champions, Mexico played out a 2-2 draw with Germany.
In group D, Portugal beat Argentina 2-0 while Honduras beat Algeria 3-2.
