Europa League winners Atletico Madrid beat a Nigerian selection 3-2 in a friendly on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadi...
Europa League winners Atletico Madrid beat a Nigerian selection 3-2 in a friendly on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The game which was entertaining from start to finish had Kelechi
Nwakali put the home team in front in the 31st minute with a superb strike from
outside the box that beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Before Torres and Correa overturned
the match in favour of the Spaniards.
Usman Mohammed scored a beautiful individual goal but Atleti were to have the final say as youngster Joaquin blasted home from close range.
Asides the action on the pitch, here are 4 things you might have missed.
Usman Mohammed scored a beautiful individual goal but Atleti were to have the final say as youngster Joaquin blasted home from close range.
Asides the action on the pitch, here are 4 things you might have missed.
1. The Award
Given To Torres
Fernando Torres who played his final game for Atletico
Madrid in Uyo received an artwork. The gigantic piece is the 1000 naira note
carved on a metallic frame. The award left everyone wondering its significance
to Fernando Torres.
Was the game his 1000th? Or the goal he scored his 1000th? What
exactly is the idea behind the artwork? Any genius in the house? Please help
lmao. what is this rubbish they gave Torres ? pic.twitter.com/RbE9vwjEeB— john (@Efiotu_) May 22, 2018
The good people of Akwa Ibom state also gave Fernando Torres something he'll forever cherish. An artwork of Nigeria's highest currency. #BigBullRiceMOTM #NGRvsATLETI pic.twitter.com/rjcqGDD5Ih— Oh' Kelvin (@kelvinekerete) May 23, 2018
I'm highly disappointed. Is this the best we could have given him? Money edifice? Is that what he would remember his visit to Nigeria? I can decode many negative things from this but I won't.— Olakunle FAYIGA (@k_ef4real) May 23, 2018
Rubbish!!!— Dreams only (@iamceedreams) May 23, 2018
Heavy scrap— Enitan (@babaibeji69) May 23, 2018
So they gave @Torres N1000 that he can't spend. pic.twitter.com/nBYzjubCuA— B L Λ C K 🇳🇬 (@BL_CKdroid) May 22, 2018
— KNOXPETE (@KnoxTainment) May 22, 2018
My country is a big joke, so torres is officially the new iron man. pic.twitter.com/ssDnVxXQro— akwakopa (@arc_tobi) May 22, 2018
2. The Trophy Celebration
A host of dignitaries which included the NFF President Amaju
Pinnick, Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi,
LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel amongst others were
present to hand the trophy for the GoTv Max Cup to Fernando Torres.
When it was handed over, his team mates weren’t with him. It looked more like an individual award.
The whole process wasn’t properly done so much so that the sponsors banner was missed when the team took their group trophy picture
When it was handed over, his team mates weren’t with him. It looked more like an individual award.
The whole process wasn’t properly done so much so that the sponsors banner was missed when the team took their group trophy picture
Fernando Torres lifts the Trophy #NGRvsATLETI #ShareACokeWithSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/2kggoMGRHZ— Lateef Habib O. (@SireHabbiibb) May 22, 2018
We still haven't learnt how to present trophy in Nigeria. You present a trophy to a football team like it was a man of the match award. They were busy doing photo ops with Torres that the sponsors banner was missed when the team took their group trophy picture.— EDAFE MATTHEW ESEOGHENE (@ELEGBETE1) May 22, 2018
We need to learn how not to get fixated, overboard and overwhelmed by celebrities. That supercedes learning how to present trophies.— 🔧🗜Buck Fitty🔪🛠(@Byron_Smalls) May 22, 2018
3. The Pretty Ushers
Uyo fans were
greeted by the adorable ushers who handed the trophy and accolades to the
players. Such beauty!
It will be unprofessional not to capture the beautiful ushers that added colours to #GOtvMAXCup pic.twitter.com/CsQwAK09g2— POOJA... (@PoojaMedia) May 22, 2018
4. “Counterfeit Jerseys” Everywhere
The NFF released a statement last week saying that the “authentic kits” of the Super Eagles which was unveiled in March would be available in June hence fans should not purchase the fake ones flooding the market.
Really? Two months down the line, the kits aren’t still available and you expect Nigerians to wait? Trust Aba boys, they never disappoint.
Big headache for Nike as the "yet to be released" jerseys was seen everywhere in the stands as well as among the supporters' club in Uyo. #PoojaFootball pic.twitter.com/Zvt1j5rhoo— POOJA... (@PoojaMedia) May 22, 2018
Kits were launched in March and two months down the line, its not available in stores yet. They are busy releasing statements not to purchase counterfeit— Wolexis.com (@wolexis) May 23, 2018
Its bad enough that the unveiling was held in the UK. Shame on @Nike @NGSuperEagles
Trust Aba boys. They never disappoint https://t.co/pDwGW6ya5C
Nike looking at people wearing their unreleased Super Eagles jersey at the stadium like #NGAATM pic.twitter.com/5MPZzi7m92— Alimi Ibrahim (@DONHALOGEN) May 22, 2018
Nike Officials looking at the fans in the crowd wearing the Nigerian jersey that they have not released at the #NGAATM match pic.twitter.com/6RGnI5j9xa— Somto. 📌 (@Unilagdope) May 22, 2018
Photo credits: @PoojaMedia