Nigeria became the first African nation to win a gold in the football Olympics when they defeated Argentina in the final to achieve history.
Follow Us
Football is a sport that has been traditionally been dominated by Europe and South American nations. In FIFA World Cups, Europe and South America have been the main winners, with Africa, Asia, Oceania all lagging far behind. The Olympics was the only event that gave these continents some hope of a major achievement. Until the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, only two nations have created a stir. Egypt became the first non-European or non-South American country to finish fourth in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. They lost 11-3 to Italy.
India and the United Arab Republic (Later United Arab Emirates) finished fourth in 1956 Melbourne and 1964 Tokyo. India lost 3-0 to Bulgaria and UAE lost 3-1 to Germany. Japan created history when it became the first nation from Asia to secure an Olympic medal. In the bronze medal playoff, Japan beat Mexico 2-0 to win bronze. But, all that changed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when one African nation created history.
Ghana, Tunisia and Nigeria were the three teams from Africa to participate in the Olympics. Tunisia was in Group A, Ghana was placed in Group C while Nigeria had a tough Group D with Brazil, Japan and Hungary.
Tunisia drew their game against Argentina but lost to the United States and Portugal to be eliminated. Ghana entered the next round with Mexico from their group. They lost their opening game to South Korea but they created a massive upset by beating three-time World Cup winners Italy. With a draw against Mexico and South Korea also drawing against the CONCACAF nation, Ghana was through.
Group D already saw a shock when Japan defeated five-time World Cup winners Brazil 1-0. Nwankwo Kanu scored for Nigeria in their win against Hungary. Nigeria defeated Japan 2-0 but they lost their last league game to Brazil, with Ronaldo scoring a goal. But, Nigeria and Brazil entered the next round.
In the quarterfinal, Nigeria defeated Mexico and they had their second duel with the Brazilians in the semi-final.
The semi-final between Nigeria and Brazil witnessed an absolute classic. Flavio Conceicao scored a goal in the first minute of the game. However, Roberto Carlos got one back for Nigeria when he scored a own goal. But, Brazil regained the advantage when Bebeto scored in the 28th minute. Conceicao doubled the lead and Nigeria looked to be down and out.
However, Victor Ikpeba scored a goal in the 78th minute but Brazil still had the advantage. However, Kanu scored a goal in the 90th minute to level the game in grand style. Nigeria achieved one of the greatest feats when Kanu scored the goal in the 94th minute to help Nigeria to an impossible win. The goals by Kanu, especially the golden goal, meant Nigeria became the first African nation to reach the final. They would meet Argentina, who had beaten Portugal 2-0.
In the final, Nigeria found themselves trailing when Claudio Lopez scored a goal in the third minute. But, Celestine Babayaro levelled the game in the 28th minute. However, Hernan Crespo gave Argentina the lead with a penalty in the 50th minute. The game continued to be topsy-turvy as Daniel Amokachi scored in the 74th minute. But, Nigeria would get glory as Emmanuel Amunike scored a goal in the 90th minute to set off wild celebrations.
Nigeria had become the first non-European or non-South American nation to have won gold in the Olympics. This was a monumental day in football.
The three goals scored by Kanu, especially the two against Brazil in the 90th and the 94th minute was simply sensational. Kanu established himself as one of the greatest footballers to have come out of Nigeria. He was a member of Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.
The Nigerian won a UEFA Champions League, a UEFA Cup, three FA Cup titles and two African Player of the Year awards. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times.
However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect, and it was believed by doctors that his career was over. He underwent successful surgery in November to replace an aortic valve, and did not return to his club until April 1997. But, in 1996, Kanu was the King of Africa as Nigeria basked in the glory of Olympic gold, beating both Brazil and Argentina along the way.
