MARGAO: Adegboyega Adekunle fired a fine hat-trick as Nigeria outplayed Colombia 7-0 to win the Expo 2014 Unity World Cup, at Panchayat ground, Raia on Sunday. Nigeria led 6-0 at half time.
Nigeria showed fluency and flair in their short passing as they rolled the ball around with panache. That was not the kind of the reception that Colombia expected. It took them a mere four minutes to turn the magic as Olatumbosun Sikiru opened the scoring with neat a finish.
Spurred by the early success, Nigeria virtually toyed the rival weak fragile defence and in the sixth minute, Alashe Ajibola doubled the lead with a snap shot. There after it was one way traffic as Nigeria waltzed past the rival territory with ease.
Most valuable player of the final Chikwuma Onuwa was eclectic with his speed and control.
In the 10th minute, Nigeria inflated the tally when speedy striker Adegboyega Adekunke mesmerised the crowds with his speed to make it 3-0 with a clinical finish off cross from Abisoye Orlatunde.
Soon, 15 minutes later, Olatumbosaun secured his brace. Adegoyega who was thorn in the rival defence pumped two more goals in the 27th and 29th minute to register his hat-trick.
Crossing over, Nigeria relaxed their pace and never allowed their opponents to manoeuvre inside the rival territory. Nigeria goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi who had an off day in office hardly tested him by the rival attackers.
Colombia goalkeeper Jonathan Marcella was elevated to winger positions. However his services were not proved futile as they were struggling to catch the brisk pace of Nigerian attacker. Olufemi John drove the last nail into rival coffin in the 49th minute to decimate the rivals.
The organizers had renowned gospel singer Benny Prasad setting the tone evening, belting some punch gospel songs.
The following individual prizes were awarded to Man-of-the-match A A Joseph of Nigeria, Best goalkeeper Melroy Fernandes of India and Best player of the final Jemie Celis of Colombia.
Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao was the chief guest and gave away the trophies in the presence of Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, GFA president Elvis Gomes, J Hindu Shekhar AGM, State Bank of India; Levino Dias; Rufino Monteiro, Chairman of GSFDC, Dr Shekar Salkar, president of Goa Cricket Association and Raia Sarpanch Isdorio Fernandes.
