We only have to look at the squads sent by Brasil and Spain to see how serious the football side of this event is taken.
12years later. Fortune favours United...
Cast our minds back a dozen years.
Shakes Mashaba took a group of Saffer footballers to Sydney to compete...and compete they did.
The group included the likes of Fortune, Lekoelea, Buckley, Pule and Benni McCarthy.
In the same group as Brazil, who had none-other than Ronaldinho Gaucho, Lucio and Fabio Aurelio in their set up...the gents went on to beat the South Americans [3-1] and their was nothing coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo could do about it.
AFCON and Olympic Champions. Why Not?!
It was another African side who would take the Gold Medal that year. Cameroon! Remember names like Samuel Eto'o, Patrick M'boma and Pierre Wome? Yes, they were among the victorious 'Indomitable Lions' who overcame the might of Spain [featuring Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and David Albelda] in the Gold Medal Match
Four years before this achievement, Nigeria did the unthinkable. Winning Gold in USA! Many will remember a young Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha and Taribo West among the winners. It was Kanu's heroics against Brasil in the semi-final, where he scored two late goals [overturning a 2-3 scoreline, to end 4-3] which saw them through to the final/Gold Medal Match
Schucks, going through some of the other squads...it was pretty much the who's who of football [today] starting out back then.
Super Eagles in full flight
In 2008 it was an Argentine side riddled with talent who won Gold. A comfortable 3-0 victory over fiercest rivals Brasil, with a brace from *cough* Riquelme, seeing them through to the final. Nigeria were the opponents and a goal by Angel Di Maria grabbed a 1-0 victory.
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Argentina, current holders, missed out on the 2012 Olympics as they ended 3rd in the South American Youth Championships, which were held last year. Despite this there are still a number of talented players to look out for at this event.
We've seen before, that for some of these youngsters, this event often proves to be the 'springboard' for a future in football.
Great place to find your future favourite, who might be playing for your club next season?!?
Official Website - Mens' Football
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Finally, you'd do well to check out the Women's event as well. Brasil have the likes of Marta and Fabiana, while USA, who are current holders will look to Hope Solo and quite a few others from the '08 squad, to try and win Gold again.
Official Website - Womens' Football
That's it from me. Enjoy the Olympic Games. Enjoy the Football.
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