Best Odds Center
best odds centre button
Click here!
Sport TV
watch live tv button
Click here!
to watch
Live FootBall
NPFL
Click here!
Live Scores
play watch Live Score button
Click here!

26 years after, Stade de la Beaujoire lights up for Nigeria, Spain

Posted : 27 July 2024

The flags of Nigeria and Spain will flutter in the winds of Nantes on Sunday evening, 26 years after the unforgettable FIFA World Cup finals clash between the two countries at the Stade de la Beaujoire.


Spain were among the pre-tournament favorites at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, while Nigeria, who had lost 1-5 to The Netherlands in a friendly just days before, were the huge underdogs in their encounter in Nantes on June 13, 1998.


Fernando Hierro scored past goalkeeper Peter Rufai from a free-kick in the 21st minute, but Mutiu Adepoju equalized for Nigeria with a header from a corner kick just three minutes later. Two minutes into the second half, Raul Gonzalez fired past Rufai as a long ball out of defense floated over Mobi Oparaku.


In the 73rd minute, goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta accidentally pushed Garba Lawal’s intended cross into his own net, and five minutes later, Sunday Oliseh scored one of the World Cup’s most memorable goals when he struck the ball fiercely beyond Zubizarreta from well outside the box.


On Sunday, African heavyweights Nigeria will face European superpower and world champion Spain in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament of the 33rd Olympiad. Both teams are coming into the match with contrasting fortunes from their first games.


The world champions narrowly defeated Japan 2-1 to top Group C with three points, while the nine-time African champions were edged out by Brazil and need a win on Sunday to renew their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals.


With no injuries reported in the camp, Coach Randy Waldrum may stick with the team that started against Brazil on Thursday. However, Michelle Alozie might start at left back to allow Nicole Payne, who showed great spirit when she came on against the South Americans, to play on the right side of defense.


Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said on Saturday, “We missed quite a few chances against Brazil, and they took their chance. We will do our best to capitalize on our chances against Spain on Sunday.”

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics

close button
Please fill captcha :