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Super Eagles nearly shot down Nigeria downs Senegal 2-1 on dramatic comeback
Posted: Monday February 07, 2000 06:00 PM
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Teenage striker Julius Aghahowa scored a dramatic double as Nigeria grabbed a late equalizer before downing surprise African Nations Cup quarterfinalist Senegal 2-1 in extra time. Having trailed for 78 minutes, the cup favorite looked like falling to its first home defeat for 19 years. But 17-year-old substitute Aghahowa raced through Senegal's defense to make it 1-1 jut five minutes from the end of regulation time. Aghahowa, who scored as a substitute in the first round against Morocco, again celebrated with his impressive acrobatic skills as the spectators went into a frenzy. Two minutes into extra time, Aghahowa was first to a cross from the left and kept his composure to give the Super Eagles the lead. That goal sparked chaotic scenes as thousands of spectators -- perhaps in the belief that the golden goal rule applied -- invaded the pitch, holding up the game for more than 15 minutes. The fans' relief came after Senegal had grabbed a seventh-minute goal and survived intense home pressure until Aghahowa's dramatic intervention. The National Stadium was silenced when Bruges striker Kalilou Fadiga punished woeful marking to finish with an accurate angled shot. With the Super Eagles' defense lacking mobility, Henri Camara twice came close to doubling the visitor's lead on quick first-half counterattacks. Then Nigeria turned on the pressure. Benedict Akwuegbu and Jay-Jay Okocha, who had earlier clipped the top of the crossbar with a free kick, both wasted good opportunities as The Lions looked like pulling off a huge upset. In the closing seconds, Okocha was sent off for elbowing Mbaye Badji but Nigeria, making its first appearance in the African Nations Cup since winning the trophy in 1994, held on to secure a semifinal match against South Africa.
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