Rio 2016 Olympic Gold: Nigeria Conquered The World Twenty Years Ago, Can They Repeat Same Again, With Brazil Being Hopeful?

With less than two months to the Rio 2016 Olympics, memories of the magical conquer of the world in the Olympic football for men by the Kanu Nwankwo-captained lingers. Exactly twenty years ago, Nigeria did it in the United States of America, after beating a star-studed Brazil in the semifinal and the Argentine side in the final to win the Olympic gold for men football, and they hope to achieve same. Coach Samson Siasia has said he will not go for anything less than gold, as that seem to be the ultimate thing for a team he guided to win silver during the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Since the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, the best performance the Nigerian side have had at the Olympics was a silver, while the worst was their inability to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

Samson Siasia's greatest threat in realizing this dream, are the Brazilian side whom are yearning to win an Olympic gold in men football for the first time. The Brazilian may lose any other gold in the Olympics, but they will be out to win the Olympic gold. Unfortunately, Nigeria was one of the problems they encountered in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, when Kanu's golden goal sent them parking in the semifinal courtesy of the golden-goal rule which Kanu got after regulation time. Siasia's team will be aiming to battle a Brazilian side that have won two of the three most recognized FIFA's football tournament for men, and are seriously desperate to win the third which fortunately is the Olympic tournament for men. Brazil have won five FIFA World Cups, they won the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2013, prior to their hosting the world cup in 2014, and will be looking to win the Olympic gold for men since its inception. Will Nigeria stop her again from realizing their dream.