Nigeria fall to Colombia in friendly

AFP - 20 November 2008 11:20

Nigeria´s Nwankwo Kanu (centre) figths for the ball against Colombia´s Falcao Garcia (left) and Giovanny Hernandez during a match in Palmira. A goal nine minutes from time from striker Radamel Falcao Garcia was enough to give Colombia a 1-0 win over Nigeria in a friendly match.

PALMIRA, Colombia (AFP) - A goal nine minutes from time from striker Radamel Falcao Garcia was enough to give Colombia a 1-0 win over Nigeria in a friendly match on Wednesday.

The African side had been badly hit with withdrawals for a game that both sides were using as preparation for fourthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The home side dominated the first half but were unable to open their goal account, but Nigeria came more into the game in the second period and almost took the lead after 71 minutes through a header from Kalu.

The winning goal came 10 minutes later when Garcia ran on to a pass from Sergio Herrera to beat Nigerian keeper Agustin Julio with a sharply-taken left-footer.

Three minutes later Nigerian hopes of pulling off a late equaliser were all but dashed when Sani Kaita was sent off.