How Senegal beat Nigeria to set unassailable Copa Lagos lead

The Lions of Terenga beat Nigeria on Saturday to set an unassailable lead at the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship, which ended at the Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island yesterday.

In one of African beach soccer’s biggest meetings, Senegal beat the 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 to end the first half on top.

Diatta scored a second just after the restart, Nigeria’s hero on Friday, 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 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.

With three minutes left, two long-range shots from Thioune and Diatta extended Senegal’s lead, which they held till the end of the game.