Tanzania continued their giant-killing run in the 2012 London Olympic Games football qualifiers with a 1-0 win over powerful Nigeria at the weekend . Thomas Ulimwengu nodded a quick throw-in past goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye eight minutes from full-time at a half-full Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam to give the home team a fortunate third round, first leg victory.
Nigeria, among the most impressive national under-23 teams in Africa after scoring 16 goals in their last four competitive matches, had much more of the ball only to squander several good scoring chances. But coach Austin Eguavoen remains confident of overall victory, promising to thump the team that stunned Cameroon in the previous round when they meet again this month in Abuja.
"We lost despite being the better team and it will be a different story when we host the return match - I promise Nigerians that my boys will score five goals," boasted the former national team star. Tanzania coach Jamhuri Kihwelu remains hopeful of claiming another high profile victim in a competition restricted to under-23 footballers until the finals when three over-age 'wild cards' can be fielded.
South Africa, another team to impress this year, came unstuck in Benin and lost 3-1 after taking the lead on the half-hour mark through leading scorer Bongani 'Drogba' Ndulula. A couple of substitutions revitalised the home team and Fadel Suanon struck twice within three minutes before half-time and William Dassagate added a third early in the second half with a fierce drive past helpless Darren Keet.
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