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 former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund destroyer made the difference when he scored a long-range strike to settle give the Super Eagles a valuable 3-2 victory over a star-studded Spanish side.
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.
It was Spain who began the better, their elegant short-passing game had the Super Eagles chasing shadows and an early snapshot from Raul forced goalkeeper Peter Rufai into action in only the second minute. Raul then headed against the crossbar and by the 21st minute, Spain's positive start had earned its reward. Forward Alfonso Perez was felled by Mobi Oparaku just outside the area, prompting free-kick specialist Hierro to step forward and try his luck. Spain's then record scorer, Hierro curled a low shot around the wall, through the gap where Alfonso had taken position, and past the stranded Rufai.
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.
From a winning position, Spain let their opponents back into the game through an ill-timed error by Zubizarreta on 73 minutes. Lawal was the architect, exchanging passes with substitute Rasheed Yekini and shrugging off a challenge from Ivan Campo on his way to the byline. Yet his low cross still posed no threat until Zubizarreta inexplicably palmed the ball into his own goal.
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.
@SundayOOliseh scored an unforgettable sizzler of a goal for @NGSuperEagles #OnThisDay to stun Spain at the 1998 #WorldCup - FIFA Posted via Twitter.
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.
Great
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