Dream Team VI coach Samson Siasia has admitted that his side were lucky to earn all the three points at stake when they faced Mali at the Stade Caroline Faye, Mbour on Sunday night in their opening fixture at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

The expectation was that the Nigeria U23s will score more goals in the second half or at least protect their lead after going into the break with a three - goal cushion but the Malians were rejuvenated in the second half and took the game to Nigeria.

“It was a difficult match. We played very well in the beginning and scored three goals,”  Samson Siasia said in his post - match comments.

“The defenders made two mistakes which cost us, and they (Mali) scored twice. The defenders panicked and they (Mali) almost equalized. I guess we were lucky to escape.”

Nigeria will advance to the semi - final with one game to spare  if they beat Egypt in their next Group B fixture on Wednesday, December 2.