TheCable

Bonfrere Jo, head coach of the Nigerian team that won gold medal in football at the 1996 Olympics, has landed in the country to celebrate the silver jubilee of the historic triumph.

The Dutchman led a squad of talented footballers to gold in Atlanta to become the first African side to ever win gold in football at the Olympics.

Nigeria commanded the respect of the entire football world when the team, which comprises Kanu Nwankwo, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, steamrolled all the big footballing nations in its path to achieving one of the greatest feats in international football.

The tournament melodrama is forever hitched in the memories of Nigerians who were old enough to understand the significance.

Marshalled by Nwankwo, the Golden Eagles fought back from 3-1 down against Brazil in the semifinal. The Brazilian team included Delima Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Bebeto, but the Nigerian players wrestled their way back into the game and won.

Two late goals from Kanu and a howitzer from Victor Ikpeba gave the Eagles a 4-3 win and set up a dream final against Argentina.

In front of 86,117 spectators in Sanford Stadium, Georgia, the Eagles staged another dramatic comeback in the final.

The Argentines quickly went 2-1 ahead. Amokachi’s 74th-minute strike and a late goal from Emmanuel Amunike helped Nigeria upturn the match to become the first African country to win a gold medal at the football event of the Olympics games.

Upon arrival on Wednesday, Bonfrere Jo met with Sunday Dare, minister of youths and sports development; Obinna Ogba, chairman of Senate committee on sports; and other dignitaries.

See pictures below.