World Cup-bound Costa Rica bid farewell to home fans with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in a friendly international on Wednesday.
Oscar Duarte’s seventh minute goal was followed by a second from Kendall Waston in the 73rd minute against a Nigerian team without any of their overseas-based regulars and made up mainly of members of their Under-23 team.
Costa Rica had several other chances to add to their tally as supporters at the National Stadium provided a carnival atmosphere ahead of the team’s departure for the World Cup in Qatar.
Costa Rica will compete against Germany, Japan and Spain in Group E at the World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Cameroon drew 1-1 with Jamaica on Wednesday in a friendly organised to allow home fans to bid farewell to the World Cup-bound team, although they picked only one player likely to be in the squad in Qatar.
Coach Rigobert Song was forced to select from home-based players, none of whom are in contention for a World Cup squad place, because the match fell outside the FIFA window for international matches.
Veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia, was the only player likely to go to Qatar available to play and he captained the side.
Justin McMaster put Jamaica ahead after an hour and Cameroon substitute Djamal Kaiba equalised 17 minutes from time.
In a related development, Morocco have arranged a World Cup warm-up international against Georgia next Thursday, six days before their opening game of the tournament in Qatar.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said the match would be hosted in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on November 17.
Morocco will compete in Group F at the World Cup and play their opening match against Croatia at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on November 23. – Reuters
