Italy (7) v (9) Nigeria
NIGERIA has advanced to the Dignitary Cup semi-finals on the back of a stirring 9-7 victory over Italy.
Italy (7) v (9) Nigeria
By Andrew Erlanger
NIGERIA has advanced to the Dignitary Cup semi-finals on the back of a stirring 9-7 victory over Italy.
The Africans trailed for much of the match but refused to give up, coming from well behind to post the most memorable of wins. Inspiring the revival was Nigerian star Lukmon Jimoh, who amassed a phenomenal seven goals, including six in the gripping second half.
Nigeria was first on the scoreboard after Shola Jacob finished off a well worked team play. But the Italians responded in emphatic fashion, finding the back of the net three times in a matter of seconds to open up a 3-1 advantage and turn the game on its head.
When Italian captain Maximillano Leotta manufactured his side's fourth as half time drew near, the match looked as though it might be headed towards a blowout victory. However the Nigerians obviously thought otherwise and posted a team-lifting second goal right on the stroke of half time.
The already frenetic tempo of the match lifted yet another notch as play restarted and it was the Italians who scored first, re-establishing their three-goal buffer. The teams traded goals thereafter, with Nigeria unable close within striking distance of their European opponent.
Leading 7-4 with just three minutes remaining, the Italians seemed to have put the result beyond doubt. But the Nigerians refused to dampen in spirit and three goals in a minute miraculously levelled the ball game. In a nail-biting finish to the five-star contest, Jimoh somehow manufactured his sixth and seventh goals to seal a win for the ages.
Photo Michael Currie / Photoworx