Dakar in High Tension, Ahead U23 African Cup of Nations Semi Final – Big Clash: Senegal Vs Nigeria

Senegal Vs Nigeria

Venue: Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor Dakar

Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Nigerian Time: 4:00pm

The whole of Senegal is charged up in such electrifying mood. It’s about the only talk in town, the Semi final BIG CLASH between Senegal Versus Nigeria, at the on-going African Cup of Nations.

The Match scheduled for Wednesday December 9, 2015; at Stade Leopld Sedar Senghor Dakar, may have caused sleepless nights among football lovers in the West African Country.

Could this be Déjà vu of the CAF U20 African Youth Championship , which Senegal earlier hosted this year, but lost to Nigeria at the finals.

Perhaps,  the Senegal U23 would have preferred to play against Algeria at this stage of the competition, becausethe winners of Semi final tie will automatically qualify for the Rio Olympics and the final of U23 AFCON.

Let’s some of the Statistics between these two teams HEAD to Head

 

Both teams are not new to each other having met three times with a win each for them and a draw.

 

Their first meeting was at Abuja 2003 All Africa Games football event where Nigeria won 2-0 with goals from Emmanuel Izuagha and Emmanuel Okoduwa.

Senegal then took their pound of flesh at the first edition of CAF U23 AFCON in Morocco in 2011 with a 2-1 win.

Their third meeting was at 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville in September, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

 

To reach the semi-final of U23 AFCON, Senegal won all their three games, while Nigeria were also unbeaten, posting a win and two draws.

 

The Nigeria defence, who let in four goals in three games, must be wary of the Senegalese attack led by Moumodou Habibou Diallo as they have scored six goals, while Nigeria strike force led by Junior Ajayi have a work harder to get the goals against a strong Senegal defence, who have let in only a goal in three games.

 

The crowd will be behind the home team, whose confidence has been on a high since they struck gold at the AAG in Congo earlier this year.

 

Samson Siasia’s team will be without suspended skipper Azubuike Okechukwu and winger Stanley Dimgba, who is nursing an ankle injury.

 

Senegal will also be sweating on attacking midfielder Sidy Sarr, who was forced out by injury in the final group match against Zambia.