FOOTALL: Etebo scores four as Nigeria beat Japan in nine-goal thriller

Oghenekaro Etebo’s four goals helped Nigeria’s Dream team beat Japan in a nine-goal thriller.

There were fairs over the Nigeria U-23 team readiness for the match, having arrived Brazil few hours to the start of their first match of Rio 2016, but Siasia boys shook of jetlag to destroy their Asian counterparts.

Sadiq Umar put the Dream team ahead in the 7th minute of the encounter, he tapped in after the Japanese goal keeper spilled Imoh Ezekiel’s effort.

Two minutes after Nigeria’s goal Shinzo Koroki equalised for Japan. In the 11th minute Oghenekaro Etebo put Nigeria back in front but his effort was cancelled out by Takumi Minamino.

Oghenekaro Etebo again put Nigeria ahead by scoring three quick goals, to make it his 4th on the night and Nigeria’s 5th.

Japan fought back but were only able to reduce the deficit by 2 goals, Arsenal’s Takuma Asano and Musashi Suzuki scored the goals.

Nigeria hung on to their lead to end their long day with a 5-4 victory over Japan in their first game.

Nigeria will now face Sweden on August 7th.