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These are 5 of Africa's high profile footballers who won Olympic gold medals in football matches
The Olympics is fast approaching and football will be among the games played at this epic event.
Among the great footballers that have participated in this games and won the gold medal, like Messi with Argentina and Neymar with Brazil, Africa has been well represented by some great individuals.
Here, we celebrate five high-profile African football stars who achieved Olympic glory and became icons of the sport.
Nwankwo Kanu - Nigeria (1996)
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Nwankwo Kanu remains a towering figure in African football, especially remembered for his pivotal role as captain of Nigeria's triumphant team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
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Kanu's heroics included scoring crucial goals, notably his equalizer in the semi-final against Brazil, which forced extra time, and his golden goal that secured Nigeria's passage to the final. His contributions were instrumental as Nigeria clinched the gold medal, defeating Argentina 3-2 in a thrilling final.
Jay-Jay Okocha - Nigeria (1996)
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Jay-Jay Okocha, known for his mesmerizing skills and creativity, was another standout in Nigeria's historic 1996 Olympic campaign.
His goals in the group stage and quarter-final helped propel Nigeria towards the gold medal match, where they emerged victorious against Argentina.
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Despite his illustrious club career that spanned clubs like PSG and Bolton Wanderers, the Olympic gold remained a pinnacle achievement for Okocha.
Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon (2000)
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Cameroon made headlines in the 2000 Sydney Olympics by claiming the gold medal, with Samuel Eto'o emerging as a star for his country.
Although he scored only once in the tournament, his goal in the final against Spain helped Cameroon level the score and eventually win on penalties.
This victory marked a significant moment in Eto'o's career, preceding his successful spells with clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan.
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Lauren - Cameroon (2000)
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Lauren Etame Mayer, a versatile defender, played a crucial role in Cameroon's gold medal triumph at the 2000 Olympics.
His defensive prowess and leadership were evident throughout the tournament, culminating in his decisive penalty conversion during the shootout in the final against Spain.
Lauren later enjoyed a distinguished club career, notably with Arsenal, where he was part of the famed 'Invincibles' team.
Geremi - Cameroon (2000)
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Geremi Njitap, another key member of Cameroon's golden generation, showcased his talents at the 2000 Olympics, contributing to the team's success in Sydney.
His experience from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid earlier that year proved invaluable, especially during the tense moments of the final against Spain.
Geremi's career continued to flourish with Chelsea, where he added more accolades to his impressive resume.
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09:32 - 23.07.2024
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These African football icons not only brought Olympic glory to their respective nations but also paved the way for future generations of African players.
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