Sand Eagles Drowned by Beach Elephants

For the first time in four years and 11 games, Nigeria Super Sand Eagles were beaten 4-3 at the Copa Lagos beach soccer on saturday.

The Beach Eagles who have won the three previous editions of the Copa Lagos trailed the Ivorians at the end of the first period by two goals.

Isiaka Olawale and Musa Najare failed to convert from free kicks before Eric Bile Kablan put the Sand Elephants in the lead from a free kick.

And within a minute Kablan doubled the lead for the Ivorians with a left-footed finish.

Victor Tale had a chance to halve the lead of the Ivorians but blazed his free kick wide.

The Sand Eagles won a penalty at the start of the second half and Warri Wolves striker, Abu Azeez, converted to make the score 2-1 as the Nigerian attempted to battle back into the game.

Within minutes, Kablan's free kick struck the Nigeria post, and Daniel curled in from close range to give Ivory Coast a 3-1 lead.

Babatunde Badmus and Najare got into scoring chances but failed to make them count for Nigeria.

It was Daniel's goal that wrapped up the second period as Ivory Coast opened a three-goal lead.

The third period was full of activities as Azeez headed Nigeria back into the contest to make the scoreline 2-4. But Daniel restored Ivory Coast's three goal lead inside a minute.

Two late goals from Olawale and Najare proved too little, too late as Ivory Coast held on for a 5-4 win.

he Super Sand Eagles will face Senegal on Sunday while Senegal need to beat Ghana to become champions of the 2014 edition of the Copa Lagos.

Also on day two of the Copa Lagos, Senegal saw off Ghana 5-2 while in the club friendly Barcelona defeated Stationery Stores 6-4.