Nigeria will be looking to reach the final of the men’s football event at the Olympics for the third time in 20 years on Wednesday when they face Germany in the second semi-final of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The ‘Dream Team VI’ have defied logic to reach this stage of the competition and will further confound the book makers if they go one step better by tripping the Germans and qualifying for the Gold medal match.
An underwhelming build up which culminated in shambolic travel arrangements that saw the Nigeria team arrive Brazil on the day of their first match of the competition against Japan pointed to early elimination for Samson Siasia’s men.
However, what played out at Arena da Amazônia, Manaus on August 4 has since been lodged into Olympic folklore as Nigeria beat an exciting Japan side 5-4 with Oghenekaro Etebo helping himself to four goals.
A 1-0 win over Sweden in their second game meant Nigeria had secured qualification and top spot in Group B with a game to spare-they lost that game 0-2 to Colombia.
The ‘Dream Team VI’ then shaped up for a date with Denmark in the quarter final where Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi ran the show.
A goal and an assist from the Super Eagles captain was all Nigeria required to book a date with Germany in the last four.
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