University of Houston Athletics
UH to Host International Soccer July 5 at Robertson Stadium
June 6, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston will play host to an international soccer match between the Nigeria and Ecuador men's national teams July 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium in Houston.
Prior to the Nigeria/Ecuador game, two Texas State Select Teams will play an exhibition match at 5:30 p.m. This game is part of the First Annual Liberty Soccer Festival organized and hosted by Omega Sports Inc. of Dallas, Texas.
Nigeria will return to the United States for the first time since winning the soccer gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics while both teams will be playing in the Lone Star State for the second time. Both teams participated in the FIFA 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea last summer.
Known as the Super Eagles, Nigeria will bring a host of their 2002 World Cup stars to Houston including team captain Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal FC, England), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea FC, England), Joseph Yobo (Everton FC, England), Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine) and John Utaka (Lens, France).
Nigeria will also feature emerging stars Chris Obodo (Perugia, Italy), Seyi Olofinjana (Brann, Norway), Obafemi Martins (Inter Milan, Italy) and Uche Kalu (Wisla Krakow, Poland).
The Ecuador National Team boasts veterans Alex Aguinaga (Necaxa, Mexico), Agustin Delgado (Southampton FC, England), Ulises De La Cruz (Aston Villa FC, England) and Edison Mendez (El Nacional, Ecuador) as well as up-and-coming talents Ivan Kaviedes (Dep. Quito, Ecuador) and Franklin Salas (LDU Quito, Ecuador).
The game will be broadcast live on television in both English and Spanish. English commentary will be provided by Glenn Davis and Spanish commentary by Marvin Lazo.
Tickets for this event will be available beginning June 7 at various Fiesta Supermarkets in the Houston, Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas.
Tickets can also be purchased at the UH Ticket Office, located inside the Athletics/Alumni Center on the UH campus, or by clicking here.
-www.UHcougars.com-