The Olympic Games are often overlooked from a football perspective. But the nations that have brought home the gold medal with definitely tell you that shouldn’t be the case.
It’s not as prestigious as the World Cup or Champions League, but the recognition that comes with the accolade within the sporting world is an achievement that any winner will treasure alongside even the biggest of achievements.
The Under 23 tournament often gives us a glimpse of some stars of the future, who will be ready to progress to the senior national team in good time.
But the overage rule also means that we see some genuine superstars on show every four years. And that was certainly the case in 1996, as Nigeria played out a thriller of a final against Argentina.
Here, we take a look back at the players that started for the Super Eagles, and what has happened to them since.
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Nigeria
Joseph Dosu
- Age: 52
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Currently: Westerlo Football Academy coach
Joseph Dosu’s career started promisingly with his Olympic gold following on from a Nigerian Cup win – performances that sealed him a move to Reggiana in Serie A.
However, he never made an appearance in Italy as his career was tragically ended by a car accident in 1997. He is currently coaching at an academy in Lagos.
Mobi Oparaku
- Age: 48
- Position: Right-back
- Currently: Retired (2010)
Mobi Oparaku spent the majority of his career in Belgium, which included a spell with Anderlecht.
He then played in the American lower leagues before returning to Nigeria in 2005, and then retiring in 2010.
Taribo West
- Age: 51
- Position: Centre-back
- Currently: Retired, Pastor
Derby County fans will remember Taribo West for his varied change of multi-coloured hairstyles. But the defender played for some illustrious clubs before his move to the Premier League.
He played alongside Ronaldo as his Inter Milan side won the Uefa Cup in 1998, before making the move to cross-city rivals AC Milan.
West went on to make five appearances for Plymouth Argyle before retiring in 2008. He has since become a pastor.
Uche Okechukwu
- Age: 58
- Position: Centre-back
- Currently: Retired
Uche Okechukwu was a part of the squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations two years before the Olympic triumph, and he was a stalwart at the heart of Fenerbahce’s backline for the best part of nine years.
In all, he spent 13 years in Turkey, even going on to obtain citizenship in the country under the name Deniz Uygar.
Celestine Babayaro
- Age: 47
- Position: Left-back
- Currently: Retired
An attacking left-back by trade, Celestine Babayaro often featured higher up the pitch during his time at Chelsea, where he became famous for his acrobatic goal celebrations.
He went on to move to Newcastle after being deemed surplus to requirements by Jose Mourinho, he retired in 2010 after a very brief spell in MLS with LA Galaxy.
Tijani Babangida
- Age: 52
- Position: Right midfield
- Currently: Retired
A wide player with an impressive goalscoring record, Tijani Babangida — a Championship Manager 2001-02 legend — spent the best years of his career in Holland with Ajax, where he was signed in 1996 by Louis van Gaal.
In his seven years in Amsterdam, he won the Dutch league once and the Dutch Cup twice, before retiring in 2004 at Chinese side Changchun Yatai.
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Sunday Oliseh
- Age: 51
- Position: Centre midfield
- Currently: Management (most recently SV 19 Straelen)
Sunday Oliseh played for some huge clubs during his time in Europe, including Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
The defensive midfielder went on to become a coach, and he was appointed as Nigeria’s boss in 2015 but resigned less than a year later, citing a lack of support from the Nigerian FA.
Oliseh would go on to manage Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, but was fired in February 2018, claiming he was axed because he refused to engage in illegal activities at the club.
He was most recently in charge of German side SV 19 Straelen, where he was sacked after just two months in charge following a five-game losing streak.
Jay-Jay Okocha
- Age: 52
- Position: Centre midfield
- Currently: Retired, Pundit
So good they named him twice, Jay-Jay Okocha lit up the Premier League during his time at Bolton Wanderers, where he spent time as captain and led them to the 2004 League Cup final.
His pace and trickery made him a firm favourite in England, where he also played for Hull City before retiring in 2012.
Since then, he has featured in numerous charity matches, while serving as a TV analyst.
Victor Ikpeba
- Age: 52
- Position: Left midfield
- Currently: Retired, TV Presenter
A member of the impressive Monaco side managed by Jean Tigana, Victor Ikpeba was a major part of the team that knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in 1998.
He spent two years with Borussia Dortmund, followed by two short spells in Qatar, before hanging up his boots.
Since retirement, he has served as a TV presenter on Supersport.
Daniel Amokachi
- Age: 52
- Position: Striker
- Currently: Retired, Ambassador for Nigeria
Daniel Amokachi failed to nail down a starting place during his time at Everton, but he will be fondly remembered for scoring twice in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Toffees went on to lift the trophy to provide Amokachi with his only piece of club silverware. He has since managed lower-league Finnish club JS Hercules, but was sacked in 2017.
Amokachi has also served Nigeria as an assistant and interim head coach, and is now an ambassador.
Nwankwo Kanu
- Age: 49
- Position: Striker
- Currently: Retired, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Nwankwo Kanu’s Olympic gold compliments an impressive silverware collection, having also won the Premier League, FA Cup, Uefa Cup and Champions League.
The tall striker achieved during his time with Ajax, Inter and Arsenal, while also representing West Brom and Portsmouth in England.
He is currently serving as an ambassador for UNICEF after retiring in 2012.
Substitutes
Currently the general manager of Kaduna United FC, Garba Lawal replaced Okocha shortly before the hour mark, while Wilson Oruma, who went on to play for the likes of Nimes, Sochaux and Marseille in France, and Emmanuel Amunike also made the field. The latter, who is now manager of Heartland, scored the dramatic last-minute winner and left Sporting CP shortly after, going on to represent the likes of Barcelona and Albacete in Spain.