Atlanta ’96: How Nigeria won gold at the Olympics

The 3rd day of August 1996 to many Nigerians is one that will forever be remembered in the country’s folklore. Particularly amongst the footballing faithful, it’s one that heaved the most relieving sigh in a tough period in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Building on the laurels from the 1994 World Cup squad, a time the Green Eagles where indeed at the peak of their footballing onus.

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A Roberto Baggio goal was all that stood between the African Giants and a first world cup quarter final berth.

Lady Luck went against them on that occasion, asking another question on a different stage two years later, nothing stood in their track as they conquered the world in Olympic football.

Behind the scenes

The 1996 Olympics in Nigeria gave a strong being to why football is tagged a unifying sport. Owing to the time difference between Nigeria and host country – the United States of America, matches fell late into the night, at other times dawn.

Undeterred, Nigerians rallied in troops to encourage and support their representative contingent to the best of their abilities. 

The referred year was one which saw troubled waters in the Nigerian national space. With series of bomb blasts taking the order of the day under then military Head of State General Sani Abacha.

High profile murders including the death of the wife of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 general elections Madam Kudirat Abiola.

The build-up to the tournament did not paint a particularly clear picture for the national team featuring a defeat to Togo in front of home fans at the Lagos National stadium.

Tournament proper

Following a diplomatic dispute with South Africa, General Sani Abacha enforced the Super Eagles effectively pulled out of the tournament.

Ensuing there was no chance to defend a second title won under Clemens Westerhof just two years prior in Tunisia in the coming South Africa held edition.

Recall, the Super Eagles earned their highest ever FIFA ranking in 1994 with an all time 5th place rank. 

The 1996 Olympics could not come sooner enough for the Eagles looking to earn glory at their next tournament appearance.

The group stage draws had the Nigerian national team pitted with Hungary, Japan and football heavyweights Japan.

The group stage campaign began with a Nwankwo Kanu winner against Hungary followed by a 2-nil victory over Japan courtesy of Atiba’s own goal and household name Jay-Jay Okocha’s second half brilliance.

The final group game saw Nigeria fall by a lone goal to the Samba boys. With both sides boasting the same points and goal difference, this victory earned Brazil a top spot in the group via their head-to-head lead.

The Knockout route

Nigeria’s unexpected tournament triumph took full force in this stage. Taking on Mexico in the quarter-final, Okocha was on the scoresheet yet again and accompanied by full back Celestine Babayaro’s 84th minute strike to dispatch their North-American counterparts.

Brazil defeated West-Africa neighbors Ghana 4-2 in another tie to set up another tournament affair with the Super Eagles in the semi-final.

The Samba boys came into the round as favourites with their earlier group stage victory via Ronaldo’s goal enforcing that regard. 

Brazil went ahead in the first minute through Flavio’s well taken strike. Roberto Carlos put the pull in his own net to get the Nigerians back into the game.

Brazil however continued to dominate proceedings adding two more goals via Bebeto and a second for Flavio.

Coming out of the break with a 3-1 deficit, Nigeria continued to play second fiddle to Brazil for much of the tie. On the stroke of the 78th minute, all hell broke loose when Victor Ikpeba grabbed one back for the Nigerians to set things in motion.

U-17 winner and Golden boy Nwankwo Kanu received calmly, collected himself to execute an audacious chip shot to earn his country an additional 30 minutes of the encounter as he struck in stoppage time.

Four minutes into the extra time, it was the same Kanu coming to Nigeria’s rescue with another surreal finish to complete a rather remarkable comeback against tournament favourites Brazil.

Champions

Inspired by the victory over Brazil, the Super Eagles came against another South-American team in Argentina at the final.

In another entertaining fixture, Nigeria went down yet again in the 3rd minute to the Argentines. Celestine Babayaro found his second goal of the tournament to keep Nigeria in the tie headed into the break. 

Hernan Crespo’s penalty 5 minutes after the restart kept Daniel Passarella’s side in the lead as the gold medal match entered its concluding stage.

Shuffling the team with Diego Simeone’s introduction eight minutes after their goal to protect their lead, Nigerians however continued to ask questions of the Argentinian defence.

Daniel Amokachi provided an answer to one of such questions as he found a goal to help Nigeria tie the game.

With just one minute left of normal time, center referee Pierluigi Collina, signaled for a free-kick to the Nigerian side.

Wilson Oruma swung in from the left flank and as the Argentinians stepped out, substitute Emmanuel Amunike wiggled past their defensive line to deliver a deft left footed finish to win Nigeria the game.

Nigeria made history by taking the lead in the match and securing a remarkable victory. This victory not only made them Olympic champions but also firmly established Nigeria’s football on the global stage.