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Nigeria kicked off the Copa Lagos with a win over England while Senegal held off Brazil for three points
The first points were won and lost in Nigeria on Friday, as the Copa Lagos got underway with the African nations in control after the first matchday.
The hosts defeated England by seven goals to three, while Senegal came from behind to down the world’s top team, Brazil.
In the club competition, Kebbi BSC fell to their rivals Sunset Sports at the penalty spot, while a more decisive win went to Gidi Sharks, who put seven past Pepsi FA.
Brazil 4-5 Senegal
The first test for the somewhat junior Brazil squad at the Copa Lagos was a face-off against the African kings, Senegal.
With so much defensive and goalkeeping talent on the sand, it was no surprise that the score remained untouched until a penalty from Piu midway through the first period put Brazil ahead. Edson put away a second but Barry stretched to poke in a first for Senegal.
The second period began with the Verde-Amarela leading, but Diatta netted just minutes after the restart and then Diagne put away a third from close-range, turning the match on its head. The momentum was in their favour as Senegal made it 2-5 before the second whistle, the fifth a rocket from keeper Al Seyni!
That was the last of Senegal’s goal scoring, and Brazil dragged themselves back to 4-5 in the final period to give the African side a scare, but they ground out the result to reach three points while the defending world champions suffer an early blow.
Goals: 1-0: Piu, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Edson, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Barry, min. 5 (1); 2-2: Diatta, min. 9 (2); 2-3: Diagne, min. 5 (2); 2-4: Fall, min. 2 (2); 2-5: Al Seyni, min. 0 (2); 3-5: Piu, min. 4 (3); 4-5: Edson, min. 4 (3);
England 3-7 Nigeria
The hosts kicked off their campaign at the 2019 Copa Lagos with a 10-goal bout against England. It was the Sand Eagle who struck first, when Godspower rifled one in after a matter of minutes.
Soon after, Emeka put away number two but the big English defender Scott Lawson pulled one back, only for the two-goal cushion to be restored by a second for Emeka a minute later.
The first period finished at 1-3, but an identical following 12 minutes saw the Nigerians increase their cushion to four goals, thanks to Zaki, who hit two, and Eganosi also got on the scoresheet with a sublime overhead.
England’s star striker Aaron Clarke couldn’t be kept out forever though, as the number ten buried a bicycle kick to make it 3-6. But the Nigerian number ten was on fire today, and put away his third moments later.
The match ended at 3-7 as the locals, spurred on by the passion of the crowd, saw out a comfortable victory in their opening game, going level on points with African rivals, Senegal.
Goals: 0-1: Godspower, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Emeka, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Lawson, min. 9 (1); 1-3: Emeka, min. 6 (1); 1-4: Zaki, min. 6 (2); 1-5: Eganosi, min. 5 (2); 2-5: Younie, min. 0 (2); 2-6: Zaki, min. 0 (2); 3-6: Clarke, min. 7 (3); 3-7: Emeka, min. 7 (3);
Club Competition
Kebbi BSC 4(2)-(3)4 Sunset Sports
After their Turkish adventures in the World Winners Cup, just a week later Kebbi BSC took on their countrymen in the first game of the Copa Lagos.
They fought back from a losing position to force penalties after even extra time couldn’t separate the sides, which were tied at 4-4.
But Sunset didn’t blink in front of goal, and pick up an early win, but may regret letting two precious points slip in their opening match.
Gidi Sharks 7-1 Pepsi FA
The second club game saw Gidi Sharks take on Pepsi FA but the game was nowhere near as closely fought as the first in the group.
The Sharks had a four-goal lead going into the second period, where Pepsi got off the mark to net their only goal pf the game.
From then on it was all Gidi Sharks, who take a goal difference of six into the second matchday, and currently sit top of the group.
For more information, including fixtures, results and standings, go to the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
