By Olamide Oyetunji - Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh was in the spotlight of World Soccer governing body FIFA for his FIFA World Cup Stunner.
Oliseh who has been rated as the best Super Eagles defensive midfielder ever had the clip of his winning goal against Spain 22 years ago.The talented Nigerian side brimming with confidence defeated Spain 3-2 in a pulsating Group D encounter despite twice falling behind.
Played at the Stade de la Beaujoire, France in front of 35,000 fans, the Super Eagles were criminally underestimated by the Spanish who were arguably the best African side at the 1998 tournament.
Even though the team missed out on the 1996 Nations Cup, the Super Eagles were a formidable team containing veterans from the 1994 Nations Cup triumph and budding stars from the Atlanta 1996 Olympic triumph.
Nigeria soon revived and were back level within four minutes. Mutiu Adepoju got between two white shirts at the near post to head Garba Lawal's corner past Andoni Zubizarreta. Albert Ferrer, the defender on the line, tried to head clear but merely helped the ball on its way.
Nigeria, inspired by their equaliser, sought a second goal and striker Victor Ikpeba threatened, only to find the side netting. Two minutes after the restart, however, the momentum swung back Spain's way thanks to a superb finish from Raul. Latching onto a fine long ball from Madrid colleague Hierro, the No10 caught the ball first-time on his left foot, flashing it across Rufai and into the net. That was Spain's cue to dictate possession yet the cries of 'Ole' from their supporters would prove premature.
The Super Eagles smelled blood, pushed forward and 12 minutes from time, Sunday Oliseh decided the match in majestic fashion. A long ball into the Spain box was headed out only as far as the midfielder and from 25 yards, he powered the ball back towards goal on the half-volley, leaving Zubizarreta with no chance.
The win was a morale booster as the Super Eagles will go on to qualify for the round of 16 as group winners where they met unfancied Denmark.
Sunday Oliseh 45 won the Africa Cup of Nations in the golden year of 1994, he was part of the squad that won the 1996 Olympic Gold in Atlanta and he also had a stint as the National team manager of the Super Eagles.
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