Nigerians and Nigeria finally had something to cheer about when they were able to overcome Honduras in the third place match of the football competition to win their first medal of the Olympics.
Nigeria won the game three goals to two against Honduras and were totally dominant for the first hour of the game and they were able to hold on for the win eventually.
The first goal came in the first half after a clever far-post run from Sadiq Umar, who delayed starting his run just long enough while the Hondurans went to the near post to cover the run in from John Obi Mikel. The latter saw Umar’s run and slipped him in perfectly.
Sadiq Umar scored again before another Umar, Aminu, seemingly put the game to bed.
But the Hondurans refused to go down quietly as Anthony Lozano and Marcelo Pereira headed home in the final 20 minutes to set up a nervy finish for Nigeria.
Nigeria were able to show some grit and hold on to the very end and finally they were rewarded. At the final whistle there were scenes of celebration as Nigeria were finally able to pick up their first medal of the Olympics.
The final will be contested between Germany and host nation Brazil for who will win the Gold medal.