Jay Jay Okocha Highlights: Nigeria 1 - 0 Bulgaria (France '98)

Jay Jay Okocha Highlights: Nigeria 1 - 0 Bulgaria (France '98)
So impressive against Spain and the flag-bearers for Africa, Nigeria were forced to inelegantly scrap for the three points against an ageing Bulgarian side who could have earned a vital point.
A team less laboured in their approach than Bulgaria, and more cohesive in their approach, would have exposed Nigerian even more than was actually the case.
As it was, this eked-out victory suggested that, despite the wild enthusiasm from their spectators, Nigeria are far from invincible. It may have been an off-day because their inventive football, replete with superb individual touches, withered and expired in the balmy late afternoon sunlight.
Bulgaria had their chances but it was not the day for Emil Kostadinov - unlike his last visit here when his two goals sank France. The French supporters in the crowd had not forgotten and jeered his every move but the Bulgarian had at least two chances to silence them and stun the Nigerians but failed.
So, too, did the veteran Hristo Stoichkov who is no longer the force he once was although there were touches and a chance for him to give Bulgaria a live-saving point before their final group clash with Spain.
Nigeria were woefully out of touch, particularly in the second half and they infuriated rather than inspired. Jay-Jay Okocha wanted too much time on the ball while the usually delightful one-touch passes from Sunday Oliseh, Garba Lawal and Finidi George rarely came off.
For the fans, it was the result that mattered but despite the chants, singing and drum-beating there would be less joy than usual in the Nigerian camp. If they pay like this in later rounds, they will not escape so easily.
Bulgarian coach Hristo Benev said: 'We matched the Nigerians everywhere and we also did well considering the temperature. I don't want to talk about missed chances but now we must beat Spain. It is disappointing.' Goalscorer Victor Ikpeba said: 'It was great to score but I have to say immediately that this was a wonderful team goal and others also deserve the credit. It was a very tough game as we knew it would be.
'But we will be better for this game, too. We had a few problems before the game with Spain, a lot of people were tense but not any more. Maybe we will meet France in the next round, that is one team I would have preferred to avoid but we will see.'
Source: https://www.scmp.com/article/245240/ikpeba-shoots-nigeria-win-over-bulgaria

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