Sadiq Umar header in the 40th minute at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus ensured maximum six points from two games.

For a large part of the match both sides played conservatively, but it was Nigeria who looked more threatening in attack.

Fresh from scoring four goals last time out, Oghenekaro Etebo attempted several shots in the half — with his right foot, left foot and with his head, but he was unable to get the better of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Linde, who seemed well prepared for him.

Nigeria eventually found the opener six minutes from time, when Stanley Amuzie delivered a pinpoint, curling cross in open play from the left wing which found Umar.

The AS Roma player made no mistake, scoring with a diving header for the African under-23 champions.

They continued their dominance in the second half, with captain Mikel Obi firing a well-driven shot from the top of the area, which was well saved by Linde.

The Swedish goalkeeper had to be alert four minutes later when Etebo dribbled inside the corner of the penalty box and attempted a curling effort, but Linde once again saved.

Coach Hakan Ericson used all three of his substitutes — Ken Sema, Muamer Tankovic and Jacob Une Larsson – to try and give his team a new dimension.

But, in the end, Nigeria’s backline was up to the challenge and held on for all three points.

On Wednesday, Nigeria will close out group play against Colombia in Sao Paulo.

Sweden meanwhile have a must-win match ahead against Japan in Salvador if they are going to continue their Rio 2016 journey.

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Nigeria beat Algeria 2-1 in last Saturday’s final to clinch the second edition of the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the Olympics.

Former Super Eagles coach Siasia said his team’s build-up to the U-23 AFCON was nothing to write home about.

“From how we prepared, we did not deserve to win anything. It was just a miracle we won,” lamented the coach.

“We had to manage everything, from kits to what have you, for the past one year.”

He added: “Motivating the boys was not easy at all, it was tough but thank God we survived it.”

Siasia’s Dream Team VI were criticised after the first two games for conceding two goals in the second half after a convincing lead in the first half.

The coach was therefore selective in crediting those behind his team’s triumph.

“I dedicate the victory at the U-23 championship to God and well-meaning Nigerians who were praying for us to succeed, but not the wicked ones who wanted me and the team to fail,” Siasia said.

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Sources told Vanguard newspapers that the ARIK Air aircraft conveying the team from Lagos lost a tyre on landing at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra.

The airplane that was on ground in Accra was then deployed for the purpose of flying the team to The Gambia, but that also lost an engine on take –off and the pilot had to make a quick return.

However, ARIK provided another aircraft that flew the delegation to The Gambia through Dakar.

Before departing the shores of the country on Sunday morning, NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko, charged the players and their officials to do the national proud at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, where Africa’s flag bearers to the men’s football tournament of next year’s Olympics will emerge.

Pledging that the NFF would ensure a comfortable stay for the team in The Gambia and the championship in Senegal, Dikko charged the team to put Nigeria first and ensure qualification for the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ext year summer.

“Some of the challenges you guys are facing now is as a result of some changes in the financial regulations in the country, but in a little time, we will be able to resolve all that and your welfare and comfort will be priority.”

Although he regretted that many of the players from the NPFL would not be taking part in the last games of the season, Dikko urged them to consider it as part of the sacrifice they haves to make for the nation.

“In times like this, all of us must make sacrifices, I know most of you here would love to play for your clubs, but the reality is that it will not be possible as this is national duty you guys are involved in and as such we must put the nation first.”

Responding, Coach Samson Siasia thanked the NFF for sending a top member of the executive to se‎e the team off, assuring that they would not be deterred by any difficulty they are going through right now, and that the team is poised to pick an Olympic ticket for the country.

Meanwhile, Coach Siasia has wielded th‎e big stick by dropping Kingsley Sokari, Nzube Anaezemba and Daniel Etor for what he termed indiscipline.

Siasia said the players were sent packing after they requested to leave the camp to go for their Club’s (Enyimba) last NPFL game of the season against Sunshine Stars in Lagos, even after he (Siasia) had told all the players they could not leave camp.

“I feel bad in taking this decision, but discipline must be maintained for us to achieve success in Senegal. All players in camp were told not to leave camp as the team would be traveling this weekend to The Gambia for pre –Championship training, only for these three players to come and ask to be allowed to go play for their club as they wanted to be part of the victory parade. I had no option but to allow them leave and also in the process, leave them out of the team.”

Siasia then wished them well in their pursuit of club glory, while urging them to wish the national team well.

FIFA U-17 World Cup record goalscorer, Victor Osihmen, who was invited alongside three of his victorious team -mates, joined up with the U-23 team to The Gambia.

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Moses, who spoke at a news conference in Yenagoa, on Saturday, lamented that Bayelsa had witnessed several broken promises since its creation in 1996.

The 35-year-old described the unemployment rate in the state as alarming, saying that 85 per cent of Bayelsa populace was unemployed.

He said he would contest the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party later in the year.

He also said the state’s huge monthly revenues from the Federal Government had not translated into an improved standard of living among the people of the state.

Siasia, who is a kinsman of the incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson, said the state needed a productive machinery to reverse the socio-economic problems allegedly dogging Bayelsa State.

He said, “Unemployment is taking its toll on our youths. We have over 85 per cent of Bayelsa youths unemployed. How do we create employment for our teeming youths that have been impoverished by successive governments and that have become disillusioned?”

“Now, we need to create a great industrial and education revolution in Bayelsa. Today, I have spoken with some of my partners that would be encouraged to create jobs in the state – as soon as I get the mandate.

“In one year, we can create 20,000 jobs. You don’t give what you don’t have. I have created jobs before. I am doing it now in my business. So, if I am saddled with public office, I can do more for our people. What we have are people who have not created jobs anywhere. They don’t even understand the dynamics of creating jobs for the people.

“We need a leadership mindset that can transform the state and make it an economic hub, a marine hub. Today, the world is talking about blue sea economy, where people can use marine. Government can use the marine sector and create massive jobs and industrialisation for their people and that is what we going to do.”

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