OLYMPIC FOOTBALL: CAN NIGERIA REACH THE STARS?

The conclusion of the summer Olympic men football gave another hind on the prospect of what the world of football can expect in South Africa 2010 world cup football.

For many years Africa have been warming the bench  since the world cup tournament was introduced and still is though inpatient, waiting to celebrate and record her first world cup trophy.

That dream looks to become reality as Nigeria looks be beneficial among the rest.

In the continent itself well known and already established football nations such as Ghana, Cameroon have recently been chasing shadow as Egypt dominates the continent at both club level and international stage. However the results and statistic of youth football at international stages have Nigeria football looking promising than many football nations.

And that means the tunes are about to change as Nigeria rediscover what once made the country a football threat boasting all ingredients to take on the world.

The 2008 summer Olympic football presented another precious chance, for Nigeria to repeat history in emulating their 1996 Olympic triumphant team that boasted the likes of Kanu and Babayaro.

But crowns do not come easy when you have the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Holland to contest against and this was no different, the golden boys of Brazil always aim for gold and their colour is favourite every where they walk.

Argentina is always a danger and with the likes of Messi and Riquelme declared fully fit and available, the quality of football is always irresistible. Nigeria started on a high, flying and banging in goals with pins and needles in the hands for gold, but Argentina was cruising and they successfully managed to keep their arch rival Brazil at bay and force them to settle for bronze instead.

Through to the final Argentina the defending champion defeated Nigeria to successfully defend their crown by a solitary goal, but victory did not come easy as Nigeria aggressively tried to equalise and win the game in vain.

In Korea republic 2007 FiFa under-17 world cup football, Nigeria reigned supreme and became a champion for the 3^rdtime during the history of the competition and will be again hot favourite as they host this very tournament in 2009. Again at the 2007 fifa under-20 world cup in Canada, Nigeria displayed some very exciting football only to loose composure and bow out at the hand of Chile, the eventual bronze medallist.

Brazil has a superstar to introduce every year and Argentinean players are some of the most sought after of recent years, but Nigerian youngsters are building a reputation for

themselves and the rest of the world have better watch out.

In contrast the Nigeria senior team is currently struggling, but their youth teams have entertained and have kept fans zooming in and holding their breaths in the past tournaments.

They have learned their lesson and experience gained will be a massive plus in the country’s hunt for Africa’s first world cup triumph in 2010. And if properly guided, these ambitious youngsters will be very instrumental in Nigerian reclaiming of superiority as much they will be a headache to managers for national teams selections.