Nigeria Defeat Portugal To Retain Copa Lagos Trophy

Nigeria’s Beach Sand Eagles maintained a hundred percent record, to retain their Copa Lagos trophy at the Eko Atlantic,after they defeated Portugal 8-7 in the final game  today.

Nigeria needed not to lose the game by more than a goal in other to win the competition, and Portugal looked as though they were on their part to victory after racing into an early lead.

The Portuguese put up some ferocious displays,going for every ball and hitting the shots with some venom directly at goal,which were mostly done acrobatically.

But Nigeria took the lead through veteran player Ogbonnaya Okemmiri,who capitalised on the keeper’s poor service to his fellow player to send the ball home for 1-0.

The goal seemed as though it brought out the adrenaline in Portugal,as they scored two quick goals to go 2-1 up. They added two more goals,with Nigeria scoring one to make it 4-2 going into the break.

Portugal started the second in similar fashion, adding another goal at the start of the second quarter,pegging Nigeria further behind,but Coach Adamu’s side mustered courage and gradually clawed their way back in the game.

With the game tied at 7-7 after the third and final quarter,it looked as though the result was enough to see Nigeria retain the trophy,but there ought to be a clear winner,in other to separate the teams.

Bartholomew Ibenegbu scored the decisive goal for Nigeria in the three minutes extra time to win the game for Nigeria at 8-7.

Overall it was an impressive tournament,with the organisers,Kinectic Sports management,with their sponsors FCMB putting up a spectacular piece that intrigued the spectators.

Hopefully Nigeria will transit their impressive showings at Copa Lagos,that has seen them win the first two editions,on the world stage.