27 years ago, Nigeria’s football took off at the 1996 Olympic Games

On 3 August, 27 years ago, Nigeria conquered the world by beating Argentina to win the Olympic Gold at Sanford Stadium, Atlanta.

In the 89th minute, Pierluigi Collina awarded Nigeria a free-kick just inside the left flank. Wilson Oruma took the kick; the Argentines ran out, hoping to catch their Nigerian opponents offside, but Emmanuel Amuneke swung his left boot at the ball, and that was it.

Nigeria took the lead for the first time in the match, and that was enough for a historic win. Nigeria had become Olympic champions, and the country’s football became firmly stamped on the world football map.

Nigeria’s football emerges

The 1994 World Cup established Nigeria’s emergence as a powerful force in football, but it was undoubtedly the 1996 Olympic gold medal match against Argentina that fully demonstrated the country’s football potential.

Sunday Oliseh’s book, ‘Audacity to Refuse,’ presents an illuminating account of how the Olympic Eagles prepared for the…