Dream Team VI are on the verge of repeating history; at the centre of it all was a captain rolling back the years to confound the Danes
Modern science places the earth at about 4.5 billion years old, so you will forgive if there seems to be a lot more of history repeating itself lately-even wrinkled, partially-sighted Fate gets bored of spinning new narratives.

How else to explain the almost resigned inevitability of Nigeria’s progress through the Rio 2016 football tournament?

To recite them all would be trite at this time; suffice to say the parallels between this team and its 1996 ancestor elongate by the day, or, shall we say, by the round. Once again, it is the world champions that bar the way to the gold medal match, following Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final triumph.

Much like against Mexico two decades ago, it was assured without necessarily being a stroll - Samson Siasia’s side were manifestly better than their Danish counterparts, but took too long to establish that reality, and perhaps suffered more collateral damage than was necessary in the process.

Azubuike Okechukwu’s thoughtless flick of the hand means this team will be without its beating heart for the semi-final against Germany.

That is the single stupidest thing Azubuike could've done. He'll miss the semi-final now vs Ger. Good grief. Ngr— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) August 13, 2016

Thankfully, this is not quite the death knell it once might have been, thanks to the metronomic presence of captain Mikel John Obi further afield.

His role and position in Brazil may be counterintuitive, but his contribution to this team transcends tactical pedantry, his glory unleashed in a brief-less brief: do as occasion serve thee, as apt an instruction as there can be for a player who can do just about anything if only he can be bothered to try.

Well, here he was minded to sweep home Imoh Ezekiel’s cutback to open the scoring in Salvador, rolling back the years as he tapped into a fountain of newness at Arena Fonte Nova.

His usual floating delivery from corners anointed the head of Aminu Umar in the second half to conclude the scoring--”I am the first and the last,” said he; the man dubbed ‘Lord Mikel’ by the Nigeria faithful has brought swift salvation to this team.

He has not worked alone, of course. Even a saviour needs disciples: Ezekiel has served timely reminders of his ability all tournament long, Usman Mohammed out himself about ably, while, for once, the defence and back five stood up to be counted.

Emmanuel Daniel pulled off a couple of top drawer saves as Denmark threatened via set-plays, while his defence effectively contained any danger in open play; division of labour at its most efficient.

It was not that long ago - June, in fact - that Siasia’s team were humiliated by Denmark as part of the preparation for this tournament. Two late consolation goals made the scoreline a tad more respectable, but only barely; there is, after all, little respect that can be ascribed to a 6-2 drubbing.


You could call this revenge then, only that would be selling this team short, as there really is little similarity, either in terms of personnel or in terms of cohesion, between this team and that. It may well have been another turbulent life altogether.

Out of chaos, order. Array has come, not solely by fiat of Mikel, but ironically in the use of gangly forward Sadiq Umar, almost a physical manifestation of anarchy. The Roma youngster has struck twice already at the Olympics, but his function within the team is a lot less overt.

He acts as something of a coalescent binder, the liquid alcohol carrier for the moving parts on the pitch. He makes it all stick together, contorting his long limbs and nimble frame just so to keep the rest of the team within the framework.


However, his output since the win over Sweden has waned steadily, as the rest of the team coheres in more natural fashion. He’s a bit like a crutch: useful while this team tottered on its feet, but now a bit of a burden as the rest of the side bristles with rude health.
Hot take: this team has outgrown Sadiq Umar.

However, impossible to tell what physical state Junior Ajayi is in. Ngr— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) August 13, 2016

Too often, the youngster slowed down the momentum of the attack, his endearing Bambi-on-ice routine now a bit worn and predictable. In that sense, the introduction of Junior Ajayi in the dying stages here was a boon.


Happy birthday as well to Samson Siasia. His lads gave him the perfect gift last night. Gold at the Olympics would finally complete him.— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) August 14, 2016


Al Ahly’s newest striking acquisition, for so long a mainstay in this team, has seen his importance, and starting place, usurped on account of injury.

It is doubtful he is in any state to take over the reins right away, but it is a good option to have from the bench against Germany for the semi-final.

Of course, all of these concerns would be rendered moot if Siasia’s Kanu-doppelganger does a passable impression of the former Arsenal man and blows the world champions away on Wednesday.

It is scarcely credulous, but it is hard to rule out any possibility for a team that arrived Brazil hours before its opening game, but is now 90 (or 120?) minutes away from contesting Olympic gold.