Classic Games (1): Nigeria

Long-suffering Spain stunned by Oliseh sizzler

It was a carnival atmosphere at Nantes¡¯ intimate La Beaujoire Stadium. Throngs of Spanish fans braved the short, but arduous crossing of the Pyrenees waving flags, painted red and yellow, La Furia¡¯s fanaticos were even up to challenging the thumping rhythms of the numerous Nigerians in attendance. Decked from head-to-toe in green and white, the Super Eagles¡¯ supporters were set to take flight as both teams emerged from the tunnel for battle in their first match of the 1998 FIFA World Cup France.

Nigeria, Africa's most-populous nation, opened eyes four years earlier in the United States by reaching the second round and stretching Italy in the last sixteen. Also Olympic Gold Medallists in 1996, they were tipped by many to go far in France. And with Serbian boss Bora Milutinovic - renowned for inspiring minnows to minor glories - their chances of picking up where Roger Milla and Cameroon left off in at Italy 90 were looking on the up. Unfortunately African Player of the Year for 1996, Nwankwo Kanu, was seated right beside the new boss on the subs¡¯ bench ¨C sadly still recovering from heart valve surgery and a series of niggling injuries.

The lanky man's nimble skills figure to be sorely missed, especially up against group-favourites Spain. Tipped by many to finally overcome their self-appointed status of tragic losers, they have an up-and-coming young star from the Bernab¨¦u who goes by the name of Raul. With a bevy of grizzled old campaigners and warhorses behind the young Real Madrid prodigy, the Iberians are much feared. But there is controversy on the bench too. Head Coach Javier Clemente caused a sensation back home when he revealed a propensity for selecting Basque players ¨C not surprisingly the region of his birth. Perhaps the Vascos¡¯ renowned steel and thunder will be necessary attributes up against the hulking Nigerians.

La Furia catch fire early

The match began with a flurry of fine football from Spain. It is the first time the Spanish have met African opposition at a FIFA World Cup finals, and they look to have the run of the house in the early going. Their elegant short passes have the Nigerians chasing shadows for huge chunks of time, and an early snapshot from Raul saw gigantic keeper Peter Rufai diving uncomfortably in only the second minute. This is one Madrileno Clemente was looking to for big things.

Bleached blonde and supremely confident, Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha of PSG is adored by the French fans. Roving, coming back into the play and turning up like fine dust in unexpected places, he looks able to drag the Nigerians into the match with his precocious panache.

Under siege and temporarily disorganised though, the Africans are on the ropes. Raul heads off the crossbar to a collective gasp from the crowd. Too often Spain control possession and miss out on the finishing touches, playing football like Quixote roamed the countryside ¨C noble, but lost and unsure. Luis Enrique with his head cleanly shaved, is the soul of the team. As hard as the ore mined in his foreboding but beloved Asturias, he never stops attacking, tackling and hounding. His last act of USA 94 was a broken nose after to a tussle with Mauro Tassoti, and an abortive assault on the referee who missed it.

Throughout the first half, the incessant thud of a lone drum fills the air. It belongs to Manolo ¡®del Bombo¡¯. Spain's super-fan, the portly, long-suffering man from Valencia with his trademark over-sized beret has not missed a match since 1982. ¡°Espana, Espana¡± is his incessant, smiling cry. And even the Nigerian fans have a healthy respect for his devotion.

An early edge

Alfonso, the attacking dandy in his unmistakable white shoes, begins to get forward. And when Nigeria manage to put an attack together, they run into a formidable backline led by Albert Ferrer. Built like a fireplug, he is a true bulldog. Also Fernando Hierro, as his surname might suggest, looks every bit the iron man in the centre.

Andoni Zubizarreta, Spain's Basque bastion between the pipes and successor to the legendary Luis Arconada, is looking in fine form early on as well. Though aging, he collects every Nigerian long-range shot with ease. At 36, he was controversially preferred by Clemente to young star Santiago Canizares.

The match soon developed a physical edge ¨C no problem for either side. Luis Enrique shakes his head ruefully as the American referee threatens him with a hand in his pocket. Surely, it wouldn't be the Barca man¡¯s first yellow card. And as bodies continue to clatter, dainty Alfonso is felled just outside the area in minute 21. A dangerous spot, and free-kick specialist Hierro prances up from the back with an ominous intent. He finds a hole and curls a shot around the wall and past Rufai. At the time, the defender was Spain¡¯s all-time leading scorer thanks to his aptitude from set pieces and the penalty spot. The Spaniards could finally breathe a sigh of relief ¨C and so too could their long-suffering fans.

But, just as the nervy Spaniards are feeling the calm of a good start, Nigeria equalise on a half chance. Mutiu Adepoju arrives at the near post to flick his header past Zubizarreta. Ferrer was alert at the post, but his stout stature only allowed him to head the ball up and in. With the equaliser, just four minutes after the opener, the heavens open, a powerful storm rages and the players are quickly soaked to the bone.

A hard rain for Spain

The next 20 minutes until half time prove a to-and-fro battle. Nigeria, inspired by their equaliser, roar into attack. And Victor Ikpeba nearly scored but fired into Zubi¡¯s side netting instead. Back the other way, Luis Enrique ends up on the ground in the box, but the ref waives away appeals from the blustery player.

Despite building pressure from both sides, the half ends all square. Racing off the pitch to escape the rain, wild-haired Nigerian defender Taribo West rallies his teammates with shouts and encouraging smiles.

After the break, Spain came out far more motivated, and almost immediately Raul races onto goal looking dangerous. Latching onto a fine long ball from club teammate Hierro, he volleys home extravagantly. And a wild celebration follows.

After the goal, Spain dictate possession completely. As the side make a troublesome short-passing game look like child's play, the pro-Spain crowd begins to taunt the weary Nigerians with premature ¡°Oles.¡± It is surely hubris; there is a lot of the match to go yet.

Doubts spring eternal

Nigeria break into the Spanish third on a routine attack in the 73rd minute. Garba Lawal gets down the left and crosses low along the goal line. Zubizarreta is caught cheating. Trying to get back in position, he palms the ball desperately into his own net. The Spanish curse is alive and well, and the score is all-square. The balding net minder lies face down in the grass. He knows this pain ¨C so to does all of Spain. Lawal could not believe his cross ended up in the net ¨C but still the Super Eagles celebrate madly before their joyous fans.

With the veteran keeper's mistake, the old self doubts are back for Spain. Is it their destiny to lose beautifully? Alas Nigeria show the final beauty in claiming victory as Sunday Oliseh¡¯s wicked half volley from 25 yards leaves Zubizarreta with no chance. Spain are beaten, and they know it.

Manolo¡¯s drum still beats, but the sound is hollow and the ¡°Oles¡± have stopped for good. Sergi misses the top corner agonisingly at the end as Bora, with his clipboard, shouts orders to a politely uninterested Okocha. The whistle goes after a few minutes of tense stoppage time, and the Nigerians celebrate crazily over the upset victory

Spain went on to be rather predictably crushed under the weight of expectation and disappointment, falling out in the first round. Even with a 6-1 demolition of Bulgaria in their final group match, La Furia fizzled out sadly. And Clemente, blamed for all, joined his Basque countryman Zubizarreta on the breadline as sacrificial lamb.

And after the joy of winning a tough group, some say the Nigerians got too high too fast. In their first match of the knockout rounds, they were hit for four by safe, sane Denmark and their would-be breakout tournament ended in question marks.