Nigeria and Spain will face off in Nantes on Sunday evening, 26 years after their unforgettable FIFA World Cup final match at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Spain entered the 1998 FIFA World Cup as one of the top favourites, while Nigeria, who had lost 1-5 to the Netherlands in a friendly just days earlier, were seen as the underdogs for the match on June 13, 1998.
Fernando Hierro scored for Spain in the 21st minute with a free kick that flew past goalkeeper Peter Rufai. However, Mutiu Adepoju equalized for Nigeria just three minutes later with a header from a corner kick. Early in the second half, Raul Gonzalez capitalized on a long ball out of defence to put Spain back in the lead, getting past Rufai once again.
In the 73rd minute, goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta accidentally diverted Garba Lawal’s cross into his net. Five minutes later, Sunday Oliseh scored one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history, striking the ball powerfully from well outside the box and leaving Zubizarreta without a chance.
On Sunday, Nigeria, one of Africa’s football powerhouses, will go up against Spain, the European powerhouse and reigning world champion, in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament of the 33rd Olympiad. The teams come into this match with very different results from their opening games.
The world champions narrowly defeated a strong Japanese team 2-1 to top Group C with three points. Meanwhile, Nigeria, the nine-time African champions, lost a tight match to Brazil and now need to win on Sunday to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the quarter-finals.
With no injuries reported, Coach Randy Waldrum may keep the same lineup that faced Brazil on Thursday. However, Michelle Alozie could start at left back, allowing Nicole Payne, impressed during her substitute appearance, to take on the right side of defence.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade stated on Saturday, "We missed quite a few chances against Brazil, and they took theirs. We will do our best to capitalize on our chances against Spain on Sunday."
The game will be played at six pm West African time.
