International Football
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: NIGERIA’S FIRST PENALTY SHOOT-OUT EXPERIENCE
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On this date, 12 July 1980, the Nigeria national team then called the Green Eagles had their first penalty shootout experience. It was in a World Cup qualifying match with Tunisia at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Going into the match, the Green Eagles carried a two-goal deficit from the first leg played in Tunis in the Espana ’82 World Cup qualifier.
Tunisia had edged Nigeria out at the last hurdle for the qualification to Argentina ’78. With a 2-0 deficit, it appeared another elimination was in the offing.
In desperation, the Nigeria Football Association enlisted for the first time, Europe based John Chiedozie and Tunji Banjo as well as Ghana-born, but Nigeria based Leotis Boateng.
The debuting Leotis Boateng connected a free kick to give Nigeria the lead in the 11th minute. Then began a titanic battle in a match officiated by John Hunting, an English referee.
As early as 13th minute, Tunisia had to substitute their most potent player, Tarek Dhiab with Hedi Bayari owing to injury. The full capacity stadium urged the Super Eagles on.
It was in the 75th minute that substitute player; Emmanuel Osigwe cannoned in the expected second goal that stalemated aggregate scoreline at 2-2.
The match then went into straight penalty shootout. Even though penalty shoot-out had been operational since the 1970s as tiebreaker in football matches that require a winner, it was in this match that Nigeria national team first experienced it.
Tension rose when Kadiri Ikhana missed his kick to become the first Nigerian player to do so. But Nigeria eventually prevailed 4-3 to advance to the next stage.
Before the Nigerian national team match, Nigerian club sides have had penalty shoot-out scenarios.
Shooting Stars on 2 October 1976 became the first Nigeria team to be involved in a penalty shootout in an international contest after a 2-2 aggregate draw with Zamalek of Egypt over two legs in the then African Winners Cup semi-finals.
Shooting Stars excelled 5-3. The club had the same experience in a local derby with Enugu Rangers at the same stage of the African Winners Cup semi-finals in November 1977 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Rangers won 4-2.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Iran in an international friendly concluded on Friday in Belek, Turkey, boosting confidence ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.
In a match played against the backdrop of geopolitical tension surrounding the Iranian team’s World Cup preparations, Nigeria showed greater composure in key moments to emerge deserved winners.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the first half after a lively start, through Moses Simon in the 7th minute.
Nigeria doubled the lead through Akor Adams in the 51st minute. Iran reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Medhi Taremi.
The encounter was Nigeria’s first meeting with Iran since their goalless draw at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and it provided an important test for the technical crew as they assess player combinations and tactical options.
The match also carried added attention following Iran’s pre-game protest gesture, where players wore black armbands and held schoolbags in solidarity with victims of a recent conflict-related incident.
For Nigeria, the result offers a positive platform as preparations continue, with another friendly against Jordan scheduled in the coming days. The win is expected to strengthen morale within the squad while giving the coaching crew clearer insight into the team’s readiness for future challenges.
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French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over his national team’s head coaching duties following this summer’s FIFA World Cup, ESPN reported Monday.
Zidane, 53, reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Federation Francaise de Football to replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the role since 2012.
Zidane, who managed La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid for two stints (2016-18, 2019-21), has long been expected to eventually become the skipper for France.
As a player, the dynamic midfielder won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000 and 2003). He helped France win the World Cup in 1998 and finish second in 2006. He was infamously sent off during the final of the 2006 World Cup when he headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest.
-Reuters
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The ‘Finalissima’ match between Spain and Argentina that was scheduled to be held in Qatar has been cancelled due to the conflict in the Middle East, while the South American side rejected multiple alternatives, UEFA said on Sunday.
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world’s busiest transit hubs and forcing several sporting events to be cancelled due to safety concerns.
The contest between European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, where fans would have had the opportunity to watch Lionel Messi go head-to-head with Lamine Yamal.
UEFA said they held discussions with the organising authorities in Qatar and concluded that the match could not take place due to the “current political situation” in the region.
“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar,” UEFA said in a statement.
Qatar’s Local Organising Committee said airspace disruption and travel restrictions led to the cancellation of its Qatar Football Festival, where the host country, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Serbia were also set to play friendly games this month.
The Football Association of Serbia later announced they would play away in Spain on March 27 and host Saudi Arabia four days later.
OTHER ALTERNATIVES REJECTED BY ARGENTINA
The Finalissima’s cancellation was not just about Qatar’s security concerns, however, with UEFA saying they explored other feasible alternatives, but they proved to be ‘unacceptable’ to the Argentinian Football Association (AFA).
UEFA first offered to stage the match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium.
A second option was to stage the Finalissima over two legs — at the Bernabeu on March 27 and the second leg in Buenos Aires during an international window before the next Euros and Copa America in 2028.
However, the AFA rejected both options. UEFA said Argentina made a counter offer to play the game after the World Cup but Spain had no available dates.
“Ultimately, UEFA sought a commitment from Argentina that, if a neutral venue in Europe could be found, the game could go ahead on 27 March… or on the alternative date of 30 March. This proposal was also rejected,” UEFA added.
SPAIN WERE READY TO PLAY
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said they had offered Argentina “all possible options” in collaboration with UEFA to ensure the match went ahead, adding that they had the organisational capacity to stage the clash on short notice.
“From the very outset, the Federation has expressed its absolute commitment to ensuring this match goes ahead, as it believes it brings prestige and international reputation at a crucial time in a World Cup year,” the RFEF said.
“Furthermore, it has worked tirelessly to achieve this. Spain was prepared to play, as has always been stated.”
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada kicks off on June 11.
The 2022 edition of the Finalissima was held at Wembley Stadium in London where Argentina beat Italy 3-0.
-Reuters
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