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VIDEO: TODAY IN HISTORY: IT’S 31 YEARS SINCE CAMEROON LAST BEAT SUPER EAGLES
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Perhaps, it is one of the longest unbeaten streaks between two rivals in football. The football rivalry of the national teams of Nigeria and Cameroon is never doubted as both have mutual respect for each other.
But despite the fears that Nigerian football followers of have in Super Eagles’ fixtures against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the Super Eagles have most times been dominant, making the tag ‘Indomitable Lions’ a mere paradox.
It is 31 years today since Cameroon last beat the Super Eagles in either regulation or even after extra time. The Africa Cup of Nations final match of 2000 in Lagos ended 2-2 at both regulation time and after extra time. The penalty shootout was just a tie-breaker, making the last time Cameroon beat Nigeria in regular play to be 1989.
That was in Yaoundé on 27 August 1989 in Group C World Cup qualifiers for Italia ’90.
The encounter is packed with memorable incidents for eternal storage. First it was Dutchman Clemens Westerhof debut for Nigeria. It was the first players’ open mutiny against the national football governing body, the then NFA.
Not all, it was the first time a coach insisted on boarding a plane should a particular player be allowed in, even if the player in question would be a mere spectator.
Also, it was the last match Waidi Akanni played for the Super Eagles before he ventured to the United States for studies at the Howard University.
Lastly, the nation was at the brink of another on-field tragedy as goalkeeper David Ngodigha passed out after 12 minutes of the epic match and had to be replaced by Aloysius Agu.
After watching from the stands, the Super Eagles previous two World Cup qualifying matches with Gabon in Libreville on 25 June 1989 and Angola on 12 July 1989 in Lagos, Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof on this date 27 August 1989 made his debut for the Super Eagles as they lined out for their last Group C World Cup Italia ’90 match against Cameroon in Yaoundé.
Nigeria, in need of a draw to advance to the last qualifying and knockout stage lost 1-0 and crashed out. Significantly, that was the last time Cameroon beat Nigeria in regulation time till date.
On the eve of the match, drama unfolded at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as the players refused to come out of their Durbar Hotel (now Golden Tulip) in Lagos to the Airport.
Samson Siasia was later sent to lay their grievances which were money-related. Grievances over allowances and match bonuses had always existed, but that was the first time it was brought up in the open.
Since the players feared the potentially volatile match could be their last in the World Cup qualifying series they wanted all outstanding allowances paid.
At the time, the NFA officials, the supporters’ club members and the press crew were all waiting at the presidential wing for the early flight aboard the Nigerian Air force Hercules C-130 aircraft.
Later, a car pulled up and Siasia emerged to inform the gathering that the players would not leave their hotel until their allowances were paid. Officials had to dash to the players for lengthy rounds of negotiations.
With the players’ mutiny resolved, then began another drama as the new coach, Westerhof insisted that first choice goalkeeper, Peter Rufai must be dropped from the trip. He had his way.
The two of them obviously had a feud even before Westerhof’s arrival in Nigeria. There were 25 matches before Westerhof decided to field Rufai in goal.
The Dutchman said he was glad that the man who later became Nigeria’s on field captain at the USA ’94 World Cup was among his former players who came to honour him at his 74th birthday celebration in Lagos in 2014.
Back to the Yaoundé match, David Ngodigha started the match as the goalkeeper but had to be substituted by Aloysius Agu after just 12 minutes when he passed out after a collision with a Cameroon attacker.
Memories of the previous match involving Samuel Okwaraji started flooding.
He was later revived. In the 31st minute of the match, Francois Omam-Biyik with a header, scored the only goal that knocked out Nigeria and made Cameroon to advance to the last knockout two-legged qualifying encounter for Italia ‘90.
He was to also repeat the feat in the opening match of Italia ’90 when his glancing header in the 66th minute enabled Cameroon beat Argentina.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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