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The flags of Nigeria and Spain will flutter in the winds of Nantes on Sunday evening, 26 years after a never-to-be-forgotten FIFA World Cup finals clash between both countries at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Spain were among the top-deck, pre-tournament favourites at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals and Nigeria, who lost 1-5 to The Netherlands in a friendly a few days before, the huge underdogs of the encounter in Nantes on 13th June 1998.
Fernando Hierro flashed past goalkeeper Peter Rufai from a free-kick in the 21st minute, but Mutiu Adepoju headed Nigeria level from a corner kick only three minutes later. Two minutes into the second half, Raul Gonzalez fired past Rufai as a long ball out of defence floated over and above Mobi Oparaku.
Goalkeeper Andoni Zubizaretta pushed Garba Lawal’s intended cross into his own net in the 73rd minute, and five minutes later, Sunday Oliseh scored one of the World Cup’s most memorable goals when he lashed the ball fiercely beyond the flailing arms of Zubizaretta from well outside the box.
On Sunday, African heavyweights Nigeria and European super-power and world champion Spain will clash in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament of the 33rd Olympiad, both teams coming into the game with contrasting fortunes from their first matches.
The world champions edged feisty Japan 2-1 to be top of Group C with three points, while the nine-time African champions were pipped by the odd goal by Brazil, and need the maximum points on Sunday to renew their hopes of a place in the last eight.
With no injuries in camp, Coach Randy Waldrum may stick to the team that started against Brazil on Thursday, though Michelle Alozie may start from the left back to allow Nicole Payne, who showed great spirit when she came into the game against the South Americans, to operate from the right side of defence.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said on Saturday: “We missed quite a few chances against Brazil, and they took their chance. We will do our best to take our chances against Spain on Sunday.”
