31/7/2003

Super Eagles captain, Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha, ended the country's recent blushes by scoring the goal that ensured a 1-0 win against Venezuela on Saturday

Super Eagles captain, Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha, ended the country's recent blushes by scoring the goal that ensured a 1-0 win against Venezuela on Saturday. The match, which was played at the vicarage road ground of English first side, Watford saw the eagles overcome their South American Counterparts in front of 1,000 spectators.

The only goal of the match came in the eight minute from the boot of Bolton Wanderers Jay Jay okocha.

An unmarked Okocha drilled home from the edge of the box after Benedict Akwuegbu out powered the Venezuelan defense to tee up his teammate. At that stage it was one-way traffic with Nigeria looking as though they would score many more.

Just three minutes later Akwuegbu would have made it 2-0 but he headed wide from John Utaka s right wing cross.

On few occasions that Venezuela did break through a suspect looking Nigeria defense, the impressive Joseph Yobo of Everton showed his class and tidied up for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria came close to extending their lead just 12 minutes into the second half when Nwankwo kanu hit the joint of bar and post with a curling 12 yard shot.