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Grioo.com : Olympics: Soccer Coach Siasia boys give Nigeria first medal
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Olympics: Soccer Coach Siasia boys give Nigeria first medal
20/08/2008
 

The splendid summer of 1996 is about to be re-enacted as Nigeria is again in the final of the Olympic Games? men?s football, reports a PANA correspondent covering the games.
 
By PANAPRESS
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Like Trojans, they fought hard right from the kick-off of their semi final 4-1 victory over Belgium to assure themselves of a medal in the Olympics.

The score-line is the widest margin recorded in a semi-final game since Poland's 6-1 defeat of Australia at the Barcelona's 92.

The Nigerians are therefore following almost the same path they threaded 12 years ago when they won the gold in Atlanta, US.

Then in their march to the final, they scored four goals. That they did again Tu esday, this time, without raising blood pressure too high.

Twelve years ago, they had to come 3-1 from behind to beat Brazil 4-3 in extra time. So far, they have not had to fight from behind. As it was in 1996, they have South American opposition in Saturday's final match.

No matter what happens Saturday, Nigeria are already assured of a medal, not less than silver.

They can even make it a gold to give the Nigeria Football Federation which clocks 75 Thursday, a splendid anniversary.

In-form Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi was the hero with his splendid moves which he capped with two goals and assisting in the opening goal as Nigeria became the first team to reach the final and therefore extended the woes of Europe who had hoped to end the continent's 16 years of not winning Olympic gold medals in football.

Incidentally, it was Nigeria that ended the 68-year European dominance of the football event.

Olufemi Adebayo had set Nigeria on victory path when he latched on to the ball in the 17th minute from a corner kick by Obinna Nsofor to put Nigeria ahead.

Nsofor had played the ball to Osaze Odemwingie who found Obasi who took a feeble shot that the Belgian defence parried into the path of an on-rushing Adebayo to score.

Prior to the goal, Nigeria had mounted severe pressure on the Belgians who appeared not to find any rhythm. Stylish and pacy Odemwingie kept the Belgian defence very busy throughout the remainder of the second half.

When it appeared the Belgians would cancel the first half goal, the Nigerians increase the tempo of the game after half time and it did not take too long before the hero of the game Obasi registered his first goal of the tournament.

Victor Anichebe who came in for Solomon Okoronkwo set up Obasi who side-footed home in the 60th minute. Celebrations had begun, even though the Nigerian were aware that the Belgians came from behind 0-2 in their last game with Italy to win 3 - 2.

They pressed on and Everton striker missed a golden opportunity minutes which could become the biggest miss of the entire tournament.

He shot the ball wide almost in front of an empty net. More misses were to follow from the Everton striker who appeared to be suffering from match-rustiness.

But in the 72nd minute, Obasi scored his second in Nigeria's four-star performance. It was from a left side corner kick taken by Nsofor who is the specialist for the side.

The ball found Obasi whose shot hit the goal post and ricocheted into the net.

Six minutes later, a fourth was added by Chibuzor Okonkwo.

Even when the Belgians pulled a goal back with barely three minute to end the game, it could not be celebrated.

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