Nigeria got their campaign at the CAF U-23 Championship off to a shaky but winning start yesterday, edging Mali 3-2 in their Group B clash at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour.

A game of two halves, saw the Nigerians scoring three goals in the first half, while Mali got the second half, netting twice but falling short of nicking the equaliser, which they truly deserved on the evidence of their performance and second half display.

This is a match that Coach Samson Siasia would quickly want to forget as he attempts to qualify Nigeria for next summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

Siasia like most Nigerians would not be happy with the second half display of his Dream Team, who largely went to sleep in the second half and almost allowing Mali to claw their way back into the game.

Ajayi;s goal could not have come at a better time, scoring against the run of play, tipping in the ball with the back of his right foot.. He was a regular scorer during the qualifying matches for this tournament and fully deserved to get the ball rolling for Nigeria.