Germany Tramples the Olympic Gold Hopes of Nigeria’s Football Team in the Semi-Finals Match

Nigeria’s U-23 squad is still in contention for the bronze medal and possibly a $10,000 payday for each player.

Erin C.J. Robertson
August 17, 2016

Nigeria’s football team had its Olympic hopes trampled by Germany, losing 2 to 0 in the semifinals match at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.

Their loss means they still have a shot at bronze, which could translate into a $10,000 payday for each player from the squad’s Japanese patron and plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu. Reportedly he’s enroute to Rio to personally deliver the reward plus an additional $200,000 (£153,500) “special donation.”

However even if it rains nairas, the U-23 team’s crushing loss will weigh heavy on coach Samson Siasia, who brought home silver at the Beijing games and had his sights on striking gold in Rio.

Some fans have voiced their disappointment, others have been stunned into silence:

And so the two decade-long drought continues since the last time the Nigerians became the first African team to win gold medal at the 1999 Olympics in Athens, Georgia.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to that glorious game…

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