ACTUALITE |
29.01.2002
Nigeria win spells end for Weah
Group A: Liberia 0 - 1 Nigeria
Nigeria are into the quarter-finals of the Nations Cup after a deserved win over Liberia.
The Super Eagles victory ended the Lone Star`s hopes and marked George Weah`s retirement from international football.
The Nigerians were the better side throughout an entertaining game in Mopti, and it was Nigeria`s perennial goalscorer, Julius Aghahowa, who determined the result.
Mid-way through the second half, Okocha`s cross dropped into the box, with Liberia`s George Gebro looking like he had it covered.
But he fluffed his clearance, and Aghahowa was in the right place to head the ball into the net.
Aghahowa celebrated with yet another display of acrobatic back-flips.
Penalty miss
Liberia`s best efforts came when Weah saw a 56th minute close-range shot go agonisingly wide of a post.
Midfielder Prince Daye also had a spectacular volley well stopped by Ike Shorunmu in the Nigerian goal.
Nigeria had the chance of going into the break a goal up after they were awarded a penalty when Oliver Makor handled the ball after a cross from Kanu.
But Finidi George`s spot-kick was never quite hard enough, and Louis Crayton was able to get down low enough in time to push the ball clear.
Crayton pulled off a series of spectacular saves to keep Liberia in the running, and has been Liberia`s player of the tournament.
For Weah it was an inauspicious end to what has been a limited international career.
He promised that the Nations Cup would be his last outing in a Lone Star shirt. But his involvement with Liberian football is unlikely to is be at an end.
He is the team coach and has close connections with the FA and Liberian football officials.
Nigeria stay in Bamako for their quarter-final on Sunday, where they will play the runner-up from Group B.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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