South Africa beat Nigeria, 13-5 in Zone-D Qualifier of 2011 FIP Polo World Cup: Polo Recap
Lance Watson scored seven goals, as South Africa powered a convincing 13-5 win over Nigeria in the opening match of the Asian-Australian-African Championship, which also serves as Zone-D Qualifier for the 2011 FIP Polo World Cup. The one-sided game was played
at the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pekan on June 13, 2011.
The South African team comprised of Johann Du Preez (2), Lance Watson (4), Duncan Watson (4) and Campbell MacNab (3). The Nigeria's team consisted of Malik Badamasi (1), Bello Buba (5), Mohammad Babangida (4) and Ibrahim Mohammed (4) while Hamisu Buba (4)
took part as substitute player.
South Africa, the defending champions of the 2007 edition, was looking strong against Nigerian side that was making a comeback into the international game after two decades. Apart from missing a long time from the international polo, the Nigerian side started
the game quite impressively and gave tough time to South Africa in the opening minutes.
However, the two cousins from South Africa, Duncan Watson and Lance Watson, showed brilliant offence and took the game into their favour. The Nigerian side earned a couple of goals which were answered by four goals from the South African side. The first
chukka of play concluded with South Africa, hanging on to a two-goal edge, 4-2.
Both the squads started the second chukka in quite professional way. However, it was South Africa which dominated the field throughout the seven and half minutes of play. The resilient defence from South Africa limited the Nigerian attack only for a single
goal.
The game gathered pace as the game progressed and South Africa earned four goals in the third set of play. At the half time, South Africa held a six-goal lead, 9-3.
Holding Nigeria goal-less in the fourth set of play, the South African side earned a couple of more goals and expanded the lead of up to eight goals.
Hamisu Buba of Nigeria was replaced with Bello Bubba in the fourth set of play. Impressively he scored a couple of goals in the final set of play, but to no avail. In the counter-offence, the South African side managed another two goals and sealed the victory
at 13-5.
It is vital to mention here that all the players from South Africa took part in the scoring and played their role in the victory. Lance Watson was the real architect of the victory and set the pace with seven goals in the crucial game. Campbell MacNab, the
defenseman of South Africa contributed two goals in the match while his team-mate, Johann Du Preez, added a single goal in the triumph. From the other side, Bello Buba and Hamisu Buba scored two goals apiece while Ibrahim Mohammed accounted for a single in
the loss.
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