•Victor Anichebe Photo: Sun News Publishing

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Nigeria’s ship for the Beijing 2008 Olympics is set to sail, thanks to three goals, one in the first half and the two others in the second half of a very exciting encounter between Coach Samson Siasia’s Dream Team IV and the visiting Amaglug-glug of South Africa yesterday (Wednesday) at the impressive Abuja National Stadium.

But the Dream Team IV would probably have blown their first half which came off the head of Olympique Marseille defender, Taye Taiwo, in the first half had Everton of England’s Victor Anichebe not provided the needed impetus to an otherwise trying side in the second half.

Anichebe, a second half subsistute for the rather unimpressive Solomon Okoronkwo brought instant life to the Olympic-bound team, as he broke the hitherto compact South African defence with precise, defence-splitting passes.

Anichebe had hardly spent five minutes on the pitch before he engineered the pressure that eventually produced an own goal by the South Africans in the 74th minute of play.
The Everton star’s most remarkable contributions was simply his confidence on the ball. He seemed the only bright spot in an otherwise dull second half, as he held the ball, spread the passes and confused the opponent’s defence.

Millions of fans who wanted an early substitution for the bulky centre-half were proved justified as the often neglected star ran rings around the South African team, before finally breaking them with a wonder strike on the dot of 90 minutes. The final scoreline would have been 4–0, but for Isaac Promise’s 65th minute goal that was disallowed by Gambian referee.

With the win, Nigeria’s Olympic tciket for the Beijing Olympics Games have not only been sealed, Ghana’s hopes of riding on the crest of a possible loss for Nigeria seems to have evaporated.
Anichebe now has announced his arrival on the national stage, as he seems to have added to the Eagles’ attacking options.