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Sports News of Tuesday, 6 February 2007

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Stars Down Eagles 4-1

....Read how Nigeria tried to avoid defeat
LONDON - Ghana ended a 15-year winless streak against Nigeria. The Black Stars beat Super Eagles 4-1, in an international friendly match at Griffin Park in London on Tuesday.

All five goals come in the second half.

Laryea Kingston scored in the 51st and sparked further tallies by Sulley Ali Muntari(53') and Junior Agogo(60').

Taiwo Taye pulled one back for Nigeria in the 65 minute through a penalty kick, before substitute, JoeTex Frimpong added a final goal in the 74min for Ghana's biggest win over its neighbor since 1960.

"I think there's a good future for this team," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said. "I am very proud to be in charge."

The match was the last in charge for Nigeria coach Austin Eguavoen, who will be replaced by veteran German coach Berti Vogts.

This may well be the most momentous friendly ever to have been played at a third-tier ground in a neutral country. Ghana, who will host next year's African Nations Cup, have installed themselves as favourites after thrashing the team reckoned by Fifa to be the strongest on the continent in a match of brilliant, breathless and occasionally lawless excitement.

Nigeria had a few novel ideas about how to avoid defeat, the first of which was simply not turning up. They arrived only moments before the scheduled kick-off, which was then delayed by half an hour.

Ghana lineup: Richard Kingston, Hans Adu Sarpie , Habib Mohammed (John Paintsil, 45), Shilla Illiasu, John Mensah, Stephen Appiah (Eric Addo, 82), Michael Essien (Francis Dikoh, 88), Laryea Kingston (Derek Asamoah), Sulley Ali Muntari, Junior Agogo (Asamoah Frimpong, 75), Asamoah Gyan.

Nigeria: Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, Obinna Nwaneri, Christian Obodo, George Abbey, John Utaka, Seyi Olofinjana (Aeyegbeni Yakubu, 76), Osaze Odemwinge, Adoyele Makinwa (Julius Aghahowa, 34), John Obi Mikel.