Cote d’Ivorie thrashes Nigeria as Copa Lagos kicks off in Lagos

By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE

The hope of Nigeria Super Sand Eagles to revenge the defeat they suffered in the hands of the Cote d’Ivorie team during the finals of 2014 edition of Copa Lagos suffered a blowon Friday as Nigerian team was humiliated before the home fans in one of the opening matches.

Despite the home advantage, they were beaten 6-3. Nigeria drew the first blood by opening scores in the first few minutes of the highly contested match. Soon after gotten the lead, the Ivorian team came back strongly getting equalizer and went ahead to double their advantage over the Nigerian side.

The Captain of Nigeria Sand Eagles, Abu Azeez described the match as a tough one but promised to work harder to win the next two matches and the trophy.

He called on the Nigeria Football Federation to organize regular beach soccer and prepare ahead of others. “We need to organize more friendly games so that we can blend together,” he added.

The Ivorian coach, Soro John who spoke through an interpreter said the victory over the Nigerian side will serve as opium that would propel them as they engage other teams during the three-day tournament.

The Nigerian Coach Adamu Ejor decried the non existence of regular beach soccer league explaining that their poor performance was orchestrated by difficulties encountered in assembling players from the regular league.

He called on the NFF to urgently have regular beach soccer league where he can easily select players release for tournaments of this nature.

Other matches decided in the first day included Kano Pillars 7 vs Pepsi Football Academy 5; FC Barcelona 4 vs Shooting Stars 2 and Lebanon thrashed England 4 goals to 2.

The tournament is continuing with four matches today.