NIGERIA: GREEN EAGLES NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM BEATS IVORY COAST IN FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL.

Record ID: 182860

  • Title: NIGERIA: GREEN EAGLES NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM BEATS IVORY COAST IN FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL.
  • Date: 15th July 1974
  • Summary: 1. GV PAN Stadium. 0.18 2. GV Crowd. 0.21 3. GV Green Eagles (in stripes) kick off, playing left to right. Eagles attacking -- Ivory Coast gain possession and clear danger 1.01 4. SV Crowd 1.04 5. SV Ivory Coast forward shoots for goal -- save by goalkeeper. 1.10 6. GV PAN FROM Nigerian TO Ivory Coast flag 1.17 7. GTV Ivory Coast kick off playing from left to right Ivory Coast forward kicks ball out of play. 1.26 8. SV Crowd. 1.28 9. SV Throw in taken by Eagles and Eagles attack. 1.42 10. GV Crowd. 1.46 11. SV Eagles attack and score goal (2 shots) 2.08 12. SV Crowd 2.10 13. GV Second goal, scored by Eagles. Players congratulate scorer. 2.19 Initials AE/2.37 AE/3.16 SPORT: SOCCER Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th July 1974 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LAGOS, NIGERIA
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHP5W49SU59XV8PQMWGBPG1CG
  • Story Text: The Nigerian national football team, the Green Eagles, made an impressive start to their series of warm-up matches on Sunday (14 July) by decisively beating the Ivory Coast team two-nil.

    The warm-ups are in preparation for the Sports Festival in which Nigeria will compete against Ghana next month.

    Thousands of Nigerians were at the National Stadium in Lagos for the match and watched with glee as substitute player Ben Popoola opened the scoring in the 70th minute with a fast low shot into a corner of the net. The goal obviously boosted the Eagles' morale and in the 88th minute forward striker Sunday Izevbigie netted the second goal.

    It came after a powerful shot from Andrew Atuegbu, another substitute. The Ivory Coast goalkeeper Clement could not hold the ball and the rebounce was tipped in by Izevbigie.

    SYNOPSIS: The Nigerian national football team, the Green Eagles, began their planned series of warm-up matches on Sunday in Lagos with a friendly game against the Ivory Coast team. The Nigerian team is training in earnest for the Sports Festival against Ghana next month.

    The Eagles, in the stripes, kicked off, playing left to right.

    Almost from the whistle the Eagles were in control, dictating the pace of the match.

    There was a scare in the first few minutes when it looked like the Ivory Coast would score. But this seemed to only harden the Eagles' resolve to put everything they had into the match.

    With half time almost on them, the Ivory Coast had another try -- but again it was unsuccessful. The first half ended with a catalogue of misses - but no score.

    Ivory Coast kicked off -- the fans on edge anxious their team should make a good showing against the respected Ivory Coast team.

    After taking the throw-in, the Eagles were again on the attack.

    An injury in the first half had strengthened the Nigerian side with Andrew Atuegbu, fresh and eager to break the deadlock.

    As the seventieth minute of the game approached, the Eagles luck changed. Ben Popoola, a substitute player, connected with a good pass from the left wing and shot into the net.

    Eighteen minutes later the Nigerians scored their second goal -- Sunday Izevbigie tipping it in from a bouncing ball the goalkeeper could not hold. The final score was two-nil.
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