Junior Ajayi scored twice, while Muhammed Usman was also on the scoresheet, as Nigeria defeated Mali 3-2 in their opening match, at the 2015 Africa U-23 Championship in Senegal.
It was the Malians who started the game brightly, but they failed to make their dominance count, until Ajayi back-heeled in the first goal in the 16th minute.
Usman doubled the Dream Team VI’s advantage in the 34th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and the match looked over at half time, after Ajayi scored his second.
However in the second half, the Malians fought back and scored two goals. Adama Niane converted from the penalty spot in the 55th minute, before Souleyman Sissoko grabbed Mali’s second 10 minutes later. But Samson Siasia’s boys held on to get maximum points.
Nigeria are top of Group B with three points, after Egypt and Algeria settled for a 1-1 draw in the other match. The Dream Team VI will play Egypt next on Wednesday and victory will see them qualify for the semi-finals.
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