July 2001 Sport News Headlines

PORT HARCOURT - Nigeria erupted into wild victory celebrations on Sunday after the Super Eagles booked their ticket for next year's World Cup with the 3-0 defeat of arch-rivals Ghana here.

The celebrations began right from when President Olusegun Obasanjo's surprise presence at the Liberation Stadium was announced and continued when top scorer Victor Agali headed home the opening goal as early as the first minute.

Tijjani Babangida's brace within the first half was the icing on the cake as Nigeria qualified for their third consecutive appearance at the World Cup.

The Eagles popped several bottles of Champagne on the pitch while a delighted President Obasanjo came down to congratulate the players individually as thousands of fans mobbed their heroes during their victory lap around the tracks and right up to the team bus.

The popular commercial motorcyclists, known here as 'Okada', soon after took over the major streets of 'The Garden City'.

They hooted around the town on their bikes at break-neck speed while the more daring ones among them performed some dangerous stunts to the admiration of everyone.

Fans proudly waved the Nigerian flag on fat moving bikes and cars, shouting slogans like 'Ghana must go', 'Up Nigeria' and 'Nigeria for World Cup'.

The beer parlours flung open their doors as the victory parties carried on into the night.

"It's really great. We're going to party all night long", said two-goal hero Tijjani Babangida. - Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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