Nigeria outplay N Korea
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
TEMBISA, June 7 (AFP): Nigeria delivered a World Cup boost to thousands of supporters here Sunday with a 3-1 triumph over fellow qualifiers North Korea in a warm-up marred by injuries to 16 people.
The stampede victims included two police officers, who tried to prevent ticketless fans forcing their way into a ground being used as a training base by the 2000-1 outsiders from the far East.
A 'Super Eagles' squad that battled just to qualify for South Africa face a difficult Group B debut on June 12 against Argentina and drab draws last month with Saudi Arabia and Colombia deflated morale.
But they always had the measure of the busy but largely toothless Koreans at Makhulong Stadium in this sprawling township north-east of Johannesburg after Everton striker Yakubu Aigeybeni scored on 16 minutes.
Obinna Nsofor converted a penalty midway through the second half, Tae-Se Jong reduced arrears almost immediately and substitute Obafemi Martins confirmed the dominance of the 'Eagles' with a late goal.
This was the final warm-up for both teams with Korea also starting against South American opposition in the shape of record five-time winners Brazil on June 15 in Johannesburg.
The stampede victims included two police officers, who tried to prevent ticketless fans forcing their way into a ground being used as a training base by the 2000-1 outsiders from the far East.
A 'Super Eagles' squad that battled just to qualify for South Africa face a difficult Group B debut on June 12 against Argentina and drab draws last month with Saudi Arabia and Colombia deflated morale.
But they always had the measure of the busy but largely toothless Koreans at Makhulong Stadium in this sprawling township north-east of Johannesburg after Everton striker Yakubu Aigeybeni scored on 16 minutes.
Obinna Nsofor converted a penalty midway through the second half, Tae-Se Jong reduced arrears almost immediately and substitute Obafemi Martins confirmed the dominance of the 'Eagles' with a late goal.
This was the final warm-up for both teams with Korea also starting against South American opposition in the shape of record five-time winners Brazil on June 15 in Johannesburg.