Super Eagles selected 11 defeated a selected world 11 by 5-4 in Joseph Yobo’s testimonial match in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday.
The Nigeria XI side paraded Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Emmanuel Emenike, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, comedian AY, Nollywood actor Paw Paw, Danny Shittu, Nwankwo Kanu and was handled by Amodu Shuaibu, while the likes of Sulley Muntari, Samuel Eto’o, Laryea Kingston, Stephen Appiah, Dele Aiyenugba, Lomana Lualua, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko all featured for the world eleven coached by Yobo’s former coach at Everton, David Moyes.
Emmanuel Emenike scored a hat-trick, while Yobo scored twice, one for each side.
Adepoju had the game’s first chance for the Super Eagles Eleven but his outside shot didn’t trouble Dele Aiyenugba in goal for the World Eleven.
Emenike opened the scoring for the Eagles Eleven/Team Yobo in the sixth minute, shooting past Aiyenugba.
Okocha came close to doubling the Eagles XI’s lead after his trade-mark step-overs but his left foot strike was well saved by Aiyenugba.
Muntari drew the World Eleven level in the eighth minute, smashing in a left-foot strike into the top corner off an assist from Eto’o.
The Eagles XI went 2-1 up through Joel Obi in the ninth minute, tapping the ball into an empty net after Aiyenugba spilled the ball.
In the 16th minute, the Eagles Eleven almost extended their lead but Emenike couldn’t connect with Ambrose’s cross.
Layrea Kingston tried a long range effort which was parried away for a corner by Enyeama.
Some minutes later, Eto’o saw his low drive punched away by Enyeama.
Eto’o made it 2-2 for the World Eleven on 21 minutes, dribbling past Enyeama before playing into the net.
Emenike scored the Eagles Eleven third goal in the 23rd minute, following a pass from Okocha.
Emenike grabbed his hat-trick, tapping into an empty net off an assist from Musa.
In the 28th minute, Yobo had a chance to score the World Eleven’s third goal from a free-kick but blasted over the bar.
Yobo got on the score sheet on the struck of half time to make it 4-3, slamming a right-foot shot, which hit the cross bar and was adjudged to have crossed the goal line.
The second half saw a host changes made with Yobo and Okocha swapping places, while Nwankwo Kanu, Comedian AY and Ben Iroha came in.
Early in the second half, Kingston had a chance to make it 4-4 only to blast his effort over the bar.
Yobo missed a spot kick in the 39th minute after Musa was brought down by Aiyenugba.
Yobo made amend from the spot kick in the 45th minute, sending Aiyenugba the wrong way after Onyekachi Okonkwo fouled him to make it 5-3.
On 48 minutes, Yobo hit a left-foot drive, which was saved by Aiyenugba.
Emenike came close to grabbing his hat-trick in the 54th minute but his strike went over the bar.
Paw Paw reduced the deficit for the World Eleven on 55 minutes, finishing off a pass from Eto’o.
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