Nigeria into Olympic football final 
 

A goal in the first half and three in the second put African powerhouse Nigeria into the Olympic football final Tuesday as they thrashed minnows Belgium 4-1.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympic champions will meet either Brazil or Argentina in the gold medal match in Beijing on Saturday.

Olubayo Adefemi opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi netted a brace before Chibuzor Okonkwo hammered the final nail in Belgium's coffin.

Substitute Laurent Ciman pulled one back in the dying minutes but it was too little too late.

Nigeria came out firing on all cylinders with Belgian goalkeeper Logan Bailly called into action twice in the opening minute, parrying a tricky cross then getting down low to save a shot from captain Victor Obinna.

Belgium, who had never been this far at an Olympics before, had their first chance on five minutes when Lille striker Kevin Mirallas whipped off a left foot strike that slid well wide.

The Nigerians, with the inherited experience of six Olympics and one gold medal, pressed the attack and a sustained period of pressure resulted in the opener.

The Belgian defence was at fault, failing to clear the ball and it fell to Adefemi inside the box and he slotted it underneath the diving Bailly.

Chances came thick and fast with Belgium's Sevilla frontman Tom De Bul going close just minutes later as the action went from end to end.

Hertha Berlin forward Solomon Okoronkwo almost made it 2-0 ten minutes before the break when his pace took him past a defender but his drive whistled past the post.

Belgium were almost made to pay the price again soon after the restart when a misunderstanding between two defenders saw a pass go astry, but Peter Odemwingie wasn't able to capitalise.

At the other end, Ajax midfielder Jan Vertonghen struck a beautiful volley after connecting perfectly with a lofted corner kick, only to see Nigerian keeper Ambruse Vanzekin somehow keep it out.

The Africans got the all-important second goal after 59 minutes, but they were fortunate as Ogbuke Obasi looked to be offside when Everton's Victor Anichebe fed him the ball.

He put it in the net with the outside of his left boot and Chilean referee Pablo Pozo allowed it to stand.

Anichebe was playing well, causing the defence problems, but Toffees boss David Moyes won't have been impressed when he missed an open goal from three yards out.

The match was put beyond doubt with 18 minutes remaining when Obinna laid off the ball to a rampaging Ogbuke Obasi who hit a powerful strike from 25 yards that gave Bailly no chance.

A long-range effort from Okonkwo in the 78th minute added to Belgium's misery.

NextLevel  Villager

# 1 This was definitely worth going late into work!!! I'm going to wear my Nigerian jersey this evening! 4-0 (so far) was beyond my best dreams! Posted by NextLevel| 19.08.2008 07:31

Big-K  Villager

# 2 Is this on TV? Posted by Big-K| 19.08.2008 07:36

NextLevel  Villager

# 3 =Big-K;4295085324>Is this on TV? Big K, come on! It's on MSNBC (Cable TV) and also online at nbcolympics.com! A whole NVS champion like you!:D Posted by NextLevel| 19.08.2008 07:49

Big-K  Villager

# 4 NL, I saw the final few minutes on MSNBC - I completely forgot it was today. Kudos Nigeria Posted by Big-K| 19.08.2008 07:50

valteena  Villager

# 5 ACTUALLY IT'S 4-1. IT IS DEFINITELY SILVER OR GOLD FOR US . fINGERS CROSSED IT WILL BE THE GOLD MEDAL FOR US. KUDOS TO SIASIA'S TEAM FOR DOING US PROUD Posted by valteena| 19.08.2008 07:50

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 6 Let me teach those who have been singing - No Mikel No Nigeria. Now, say after me: Awa lo, Awa bo Oju ti eni ti o' le lo. Sing it 3x and never go back to the old song again Nigeria is bigger than any individual, no matter who. Translation: We have gone and conquered, Shame to those who said we would not win. Posted by Mikky jaga| 19.08.2008 07:57

mulan  Villager

# 7 It's now 4 - 1 but still their best game so far. It's now just the finals...Go NIGERIA... Posted by mulan| 19.08.2008 07:58

felix  Villager

# 8 Marvellous performance! Posted by felix| 19.08.2008 08:24

BBalogun  Villager

# 9 That Nigeria has enough class in football has been proven to all once again. Great, great, great match. It could even have been much more and lets not forget that this was the same Belgium that defeated Italy with ten men. Mikel was big headed and was misled into thinking he was bigger than Nigeria. The last two nations cup with Egypt (all locally based) winning back to back against European based super stars is evidence enough that we do not need to rely on these guys. Their impact is overblown. Posted by BBalogun| 19.08.2008 08:40

N.A.R.  Villager

# 10 You know, one of these days I need to claim the tile "prophet" :D I said yesterday: Secondly, we have a pretty good bench to look for fresh legs should things get difficult. I actually prefer Anichebe coming on as a sub in the second half, he is a pretty string chap, so to have him come on when defenders are tired is great!... ...These boys create very very good chances, they need to be on target with their finishing so when the play a team that will not give much, they must make the best of the chances they are going to get. I see us beating Belgium by at least 2 goals. And we saw Anichebe create the second goal and almost score two for himself. 4-1, Wow! I was shouting here laik a madman! No critism of this game. These guys are simply good and today the proved it against 11 man Belgium! On to the Gold!!!! _________________________ _________________________ When a team wins 4-1 its NO FLUKE!!!! If not for Anichebes / Promise misses e for don be 6-0 sef! Posted by N.A.R.| 19.08.2008 08:56

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