NIGERIA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Nigeria's Super Eagles boost confidence ahead of a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a win over South American football giants Argentina in an international friendly

Record ID: 234731

  • Title: NIGERIA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Nigeria's Super Eagles boost confidence ahead of a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a win over South American football giants Argentina in an international friendly
  • Date: 2nd June 2011
  • Summary: NIGERIAN PLAYERS WALKING ON THE PITCH TO WARM UP SUPPORTERS IN THE STADIUM ARGENTINIAN PLAYERS GETTING ON THE PITCH TO WARM UP MATCH MASCOT
  • Embargoed: 17th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACO0BQLZ9KX755O0V56Z7T0378
  • Story Text: Nigeria celebrated their biggest win over a major footballing country by thrashing Argentina 4-1 in a friendly on Wednesday (June 01), boosting the Eagles' confidence ahead of a major African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia on Sunday.
    Nigerian fans waited eagerly to watch the home side face one of South America's football giants.
    "I think every Nigerian has a great expectation for this game in the sense that Argentina is one of the footballing nations f the world. In fact, they are number five in the world," said Ben Emelittle, editor of a sports newspaper.
    Nigerian Ike Uche was top scorer of the game netting two goals for his side. But the victory was tempered by the fact that Argentina played with just two players from their provisional squad for the upcoming Copa America.
    A 10th-minute goal from Uche gave Nigeria momentum as the super Eagles rolled over an Argentina side that seemed to wilt quickly in the steamy conditions, giving the Nigerian fans something to cheer about.
    "I feel very great and honored to be part of history. I am a football enthusiast and I find it so nice being in Abuja having this kind of live match even as I felt so so good to watch football over the TV. An international match of this matter now at my backyard, I felt so excited," said Ayaotunde Inutorishe, a football fan.
    Victor Obinna converted a hotly-contested penalty 17 minutes later before Uche scored the third in the 40th minute, heading home unmarked at the back post after a strong run from Obinna and a perfect cross from Taye Taiwo.
    Emanuel Emunike crowned the night one over the goalkeeper's head as Argentina's defence was caught flatfooted again eight minutes into the second half.
    Argentina, ranked fifth in the world, were handed an equally controversial penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time and Mauro Boselli scored with the last kick of the match.
    The absence of Lionel Messi and strict security around the stadium meant Abuja's 60,000-seater National Stadium was half empty.
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