The Copa Lagos was clinched early as the Senegalese saw off Nigeria to go into day 3 as champions
A final-period surge saw Senegal overwhelm their Nigerian hosts in another classic African showdown, and clinch the Copa Lagos with a game to spare.
Nigeria will be disappointed not to be contending the final on the last day in Lagos, but they will play Brazil for second place, as the Canarinha beat England in their earlier game.
Nigeria 2-5 Senegal
In one of African beach soccer’s biggest meetings, Senegal beat the Nigerian hosts, as they had in the African Beach Games and Africa Cup of Nations in recent meetings, to bag the Copa Lagos title a day early.
Senegal netted first thanks to a calm finish by the big number 11 Raoul, and his goal was all that stood between them and the hosts at the first break.
Diatta scored a second just after the restart but yesterday’s hero Emeka pulled the Sand Eagles back to 1-2 to the elation of the local crowd. Moments later the two-goal advantage was reclaimed as Diassy’s hit a fine third for Senegal.
It only took minutes of the final period for the hosts to respond, as Diatta drove in number two for Nigeria to make it 2-3 and there was plenty of time left to equalise.
However, the minutes ticked by and when there were only three minutes left, two long range shots from Thioune and Diatta cruelly snatched hopes of lifting the Copa Lagos away from Nigeria.
Goals: 0-1: Raoul, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Diatta, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Emeka, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Diassy, min. 5 (2); 2-3: Emela, min. 9 (3); 2-4: Thioune, min. 3 (3); 2-5: Diatta, min. 3 (3);
Brazil 6-2 England
Both sides had fallen to their African rivals in their first matches in Lagos, but Brazil’s Piu put distance between the Brazilians and their English rivals with a calmly converted freekick after three minutes.
Brendo struck soon after and before the first break Alejandro got his name on the scoresheet too, pushing the lead into a comfortable three-goal one.
Camara turned in an opener for England straight after the restart, giving the three Lions momentary hope, before a sublime pitch-length strike from Brazil keeper Daniel restored the three-goal cushion.
Benjamin Jr. and Edson found the net before the second klaxon sounded and, with 12 minutes left to play, it was hard to see England getting back into this tie.
They scored the only goal of the third period, a clinical overhead from Tom O’Neill, but it was just consolation in the end, as Brazil bagged their first points in Nigeria.
Goals: 1-0: Piu, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Brendo, min. 6 (1); 3-0: Alejandro, min. 5 (1); 3-1: Camara, min. 11 (2); 4-1: Daniel, min. 7 (2); 5-1: Benjamin Jr, min. 3 (2); 6-1: Edson, min. 2 (2); 6-2: O’Neill, min. 1 (3);
Club Competition
Kebbi BSC 5-8 Gidi Sharks
Gidi Sharks were way out in front in the group race after their seven goals saw them cruise to a normal time win on day one, and they picked up where they left off when they faced Kebbi.
Three early goals saw the Sharks leading at the first break, but Kebbi got off the mark in the second, as two more goals went in at either end.
The final period saw Kebbi reduce the difference to just one when they pulled it back to 5-6, but late strikes from Gidi Sharks wrapped up the points as they go top of the group.
Pepsi FA 3-15 Sunset Sports
Pepsi FA were in dire need of points after their heavy defeat yesterday, but Sunset Sports had dropped points against Kebbi when they had been forced to the penalty spot for the win.
The first period finished at a tight 2-3 as Pepsi netted a late penalty to reduce the gap to one, but Sunset ran riot in the second period to extend their lead to an incredible 2-9!
In the final period, there was no let up for the poor Pepsi squad, as the goals just kept coming and Sunset reached a final total of 15 goals, but still sit behind group leaders Gidi Sharks.
For more information, including fixtures, results and standings, go to the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
