Paris 2024: Atlanta 96 Olympics Nigerian football heroes — Where are they now?

The Dream Team's exploits at the 1996 Olympic Games are now part of Nigerian football legend, but where are the members of the squad now?

As the 2024 Olympics in Paris approach, the upcoming tourney evokes memories of Nigeria’s 1996 Atlanta Games football gold medal.

The Dream Team made history, becoming the first African side to win the gold medal at the Olympics, defeating overwhelming favourites Brazil and Argentina in the semifinal and final to win the tournament.

Unfortunately, the country has had a notorious past of forgetting about its heroes past, and nearly three decades later, the question arises: where are these Nigerian football heroes now?

Emmanuel Babayaro

Goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro was largely a backup as Nigeria soared to Olympic Gold in Atalanta, while his brother Celestine Babayaro played a more telling role in the team.

Emmanuel was on the books of Plateau United during the Olympics and was never able to seal a move to a club outside Nigeria, despite having positive trials with West Ham, Rangers, and Besiktas.

Unfortunately, Emmanuel Babayaro never made a senior appearance for Nigeria, and his lack of international appearances stopped him from getting the work permit required to seal a move to any of the teams interested in him.

Today, Emmanuel Babayaro is dedicated to his philanthropic work with an NGO and also owns his own football academy.

Celestine Babayaro

Celestine was the younger of the Babayaro brothers but ultimately had the most success in his football career.

The left-back played in all but one of Nigeria’s games at the Olympics and played a vital role in goals in each game in the knockout round. Babayaro scored in the quarterfinal against Mexico, then forced an own goal from Roberto Carlos in the semifinal against Brazil before netting an equaliser at 1-1 in the final against Argentina.

After the Olympic games, Babayaro moved from Anderlecht in Belgium to Chelsea in England and was a regular for the Blues until he moved to Newcastle in 2005.

The full-back played 27 times for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, playing at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups as well as three Africa Nations Cups between 2000 and 2004. His international career ended at the latter edition when he was sent home from the tournament due to indiscipline.

After retiring from football in 2008, Babayaro fell on hard times and was declared bankrupt just three years later. His current whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be in good health.

Taribo West

Taribo West had a remarkable playing career, winning the French league title and two French Cups with Auxerre, as well as winning the 1998 UEFA Cup alongside compatriot Nwankwo Kanu at Inter.

Most of West’s career started with the Dream Team, where he started all six games, marshalling the defence as Nigeria brought home the Gold in Atlanta.

The menacing defender was with Auxerre when he helped Nigeria win the Olympic gold, after joining from Julius Berger, and then moved to Inter, AC Milan, and Derby County before spells at Kaiserslautern, Partizan, Al-Arabi, Plymouth Argyle, and Paykan.

West also played 42 times for Nigeria, starring at World Cups and AFCON tournaments during his 11-year international career.

Following his retirement from active football in 2007, West turned to faith and became a pastor, founding his own church "Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation” in Lagos, Nigeria.

Nwankwo Kanu

Arguably the biggest star of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team, Nwankwo Kanu finished as the dream team’s top scorer with three goals, including a stunning brace against Brazil in the semifinal to help overturn a 3-1 deficit.

At the time, Kanu was already a European champion, having won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax a year earlier and earned a move to Italian giants Inter after winning Olympic gold with Nigeria.

After almost losing his life to a heart condition, Kanu went on to have a successful career in the Premier League with Arsenal, winning the FA Cup twice and the league titles twice, including as part of Arsenal’s famous invincible side.

Kanu spent five years at Arsenal, before moving on to West Brom, and then Portsmouth, where he starred again as Pompey won the FA Cup with the Nigerian forward scoring in the semifinal and final.

The hero of the Olympic games played 86 times for the Super Eagles and ended his career as the fifth-highest appearance maker for Nigeria’s senior team.

Following his retirement in 2012, Kanu returned to his philanthropy and foundation, as well as appearing in several advertisements. He was also named the chairman of NPFL giants Enyimba in 2023.

Uche Okechukwu

A veteran compared to other members of the Dream Team, Uche Okechukwu was one of three overaged players allowed in the squad at 28 years old.

Okechukwu had already been part of the Nigerian senior national team for six years before taking part in the Olympic games and was in the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

The centre-back started all six matches during the 1996 Olympic Games and was vital to winning the first Olympic gold medal for Nigeria.

After spells with Iwuanyanwu Nationale in Nigeria, and Brondby in Denmark, Okechukwu enjoyed a lengthy stretch with Fenerbahce in Turkey.

He retired from international duties in 1998 and called time on his football career eleven years later at the age of 41 after further spells with Ocean Boys and Bayelsa United in Nigeria

Emmanuel Amunike

Another overaged member of the squad, Emmanuel Amunike was vital for the Dream Team, starting every match on the way to the Olympic gold medal, scoring the goal that clinched victory in the final against Argentina.

Like Okechukwu, Amunike was part of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 AFCON and debuted at the World Cup that same year, also in America.

The winger started his career in Concord FC and Julius Berger in Nigeria before moving to Zamalek in Egypt, Sporting CP in Portugal, and Spanish giants Barcelona immediately after the Olympic games.

Amuneke represented Nigeria 27 times in eight years before retiring from the national team in 2001 and ending his career in 2006.

Despite retiring from playing the game, Amuneke’s passion for football continued beyond his active days and he started working as a coach two years later. Amuneke won the U-17 World Cup with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, helped minnows Tanzania reach the AFCON for the first time in 39 years, and served as assistant manager of the Super Eagles from 2022 to 2024.

Tijani Babangida

Speedster Tijani Babangida was one of the stars of the 1996 Olympic games, playing in all of Nigeria’s matches in Atlanta on the way to the historic gold medal.

Babangida started all six matches for Nigeria during the successful quest for Olympic gold and went on to play 36 times for the Super Eagles in a 10-year international career.

The winger’s Olympic games exploits earned him a move to Ajax, where Babangida spent a large part of his career. After finding game time difficult to come by in the latter part of his career, Babangida was loaned out by Ajax in three consecutive spells, before he terminated his contract with the Dutch club in 2003. One year after terminating his contract with Ajax, Babangida retired from football, at the age of 28.

Following his relatively early retirement, Babangida became a football agent, keeping in touch with the game.

Unfortunately, Tijani was involved in a ghastly accident in his hometown of Zaria, alongside his brother Ibrahim, also a former Nigeria international. The latter sadly passed away in the crash.

Wilson Oruma

Thanks to Nigeria’s more experienced midfield duo of Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh, 19-year-old Wilson Oruma was relegated to a substitute role for the 1996 Olympic games.

The midfielder appeared twice, in the semifinal against Brazil and the final against Argentina, both times coming in from the bench.

Despite his obvious talent, seen when he captained Nigeria to victory in the 1993 U-17 World Cup, Oruma made only 19 appearances for the Super Eagles before retiring in 2006 and was largely in the shadows for most of his international career.

Oruma was already with Lens during the Olympic games and went on to play for a total of five French clubs during his career, making the country his second home.

The flamboyant midfielder, unfortunately, fell on hard times after he retired from football when he was reportedly defrauded of a large sum of money, which led to psychological and health issues.

Teslim Fatusi

Another fringe player for the Dream Team, Teslim Fatusi was the youngest player of the Nigerian team at the 1996 Olympic Games, and made three appearances, all as a substitute to help Nigeria claim gold.

Fatusi played in both matches against Brazil as well as the quarterfinal against Mexico, failing to score in any of those matches.

Fatusi scored on debut for the Super Eagles but only managed three more appearances for the senior side in a quiet national team career.

His club career was far from quiet as Fatusi represented clubs in Africa, Asia, Europe and America, playing for 17 clubs in 24 years, with his last known club being Miami Dade in 2016.

Since retiring from football, Fatusi has remained in America, working as a businessman.

Jay-Jay Okocha

Iconic midfielder Austin Jay Jay Okocha was already a member of the Nigerian Super Eagles side that won the 1994 AFCON and debuted at the World Cup before playing at the Olympics in 1996 and was still only 21 years old when he won a gold medal with the dream team.

Okocha was one of the best players and the creative force in Nigeria’s midfield, scoring twice during the tournament, and helping create Kanu’s momentous equaliser against Brazil in the semifinal with a specialist deep throw-in.

The skillful midfielder built on the success of the 1996 Olympic games to become one of Nigeria’s biggest football exports and arguably the best player in the country’s rich footballing history.

He enjoyed spells at Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, and especially Bolton Wanderers, where he became a folk hero after several mesmerising performances for the club.

Okocha also enjoyed a lengthy career with the Super Eagles, playing 73 times in 13 years and taking part in five AFCON tournaments and three editions of the World Cup.

Following the end of his career, Okocha ventured into business projects, while also making a career as a brand ambassador and pundit. The former Bolton captain also spent time working as the FA Chairman for Delta State and an aide to the NFF.

Victor Ikpeba

Forward Victor Ikpeba was another instrumental member of the 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning Dream Team after already winning the 1994 AFCON title.

Although he only started in the final against Argentina, Ikpeba was often the first name off the bench and played his role as an impact substitute to perfection, even scoring off the bench in the semifinal against Brazil.

Following Olympic success, Ikpeba had a sensational season with Monaco, guiding them to the Ligue 1 title in 1997, earning himself the moniker “Prince of Monaco” and the African Footballer of the Year award, becoming one of four Nigerians to win the accolade in a dominant decade for the Super Eagles.

In his heyday, Ikpeba played for Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Betis, enjoying an impressive 16-year career before retiring in 2005.

Ikpeba played 31 times for the Super Eagles and was included in the squads to four AFCON tournaments and two World Cups.

After retiring from professional football, Ikpeba has found a career as a pundit, analysing international and club football on television.

Abiodun Obafemi

Centre-back Abiodun Obafemi was largely on the periphery of the first team during the 1996 Olympics, playing in only one match, Nigeria’s group-stage loss to Brazil.

Obafemi made two senior appearances for Nigeria’s Super Eagles but was unable to nail down a spot with the national team during his career.

The defender spent the largest portion of his career in Germany, playing only one season of his eight-year club career outside Nigeria in France, and the other seven in the Bundesliga and lower German divisions.

After his playing career ended, Obafemi ventured into football management and now works as an agent.

Garba Lawal

Although he was not a recognised starter in the team, Garba Lawal made four appearances for Nigeria’s Dream Team including in the final against Argentina. He played as a full-back, midfielder, or forward during the tournament.

The left-sided midfielder began his football career with the Shooting Stars’ youth team before joining the Nigeria Universal Bank (NUB) Football Club. Lawal's most successful stint was at Roda JC in the Dutch Eredivisie from 1996 to 2002, and he also played for Changsha Ginde in China in 2007, before returning to Nigeria with Julius Berger and Lobi stars.

Lawal participated in the FIFA World Cups in 1998 and 2002, playing a crucial role in Nigeria's 3-2 win over Spain in 1998 and represented Nigeria in four African Cup of Nations tournaments (2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006), and found the net in the last three editions.

Lawal briefly worked with the NFF as the U-17 team’s coordinator, served as assistant manager for Lobi Stars, and was appointed general manager of Kaduna United in 2014.

Daniel Amokachi

Daniel Amokachi was the third overaged player on the 1996 Dream Team despite being 23 years old at the time, just missing the cut-off for eligibility by two days.

The forward appeared in all six of Nigeria’s matches at the historic Olympic games, scoring in the final against Argentina as the Dream Team claimed gold.

Like a number of other players on the team, Amokachi had already played for the senior national team and was one of the stars for Nigeria at the 1994 AFCON and World Cup.

Amokachi was a regular for the national team in his nine-year international career, playing 44 matches and netting 13 goals. He played at two World Cups in 1994 and 1998, but never played in the AFCON after the victorious 1994 appearance.

The ex-Super Eagles star also starred for Club Brugge, Everton, and Besiktas, but his playing career took a turn for the worse after he suffered an injury just before the 1998 World Cup, from which he never fully recovered. He was rejected by a host of clubs, failing medical after medical, before officially calling time on his career in 2005.

Following his retirement Amokachi took up management roles with Nasarawa United, Enyimba, Ifeanyi Ubah FC, and JS Hercules, and also served as interim and assistant manager, as well as ambassador of the Super Eagles in several instances. He has also been a pundit and commentator, most recently covering the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sunday Oliseh

Midfield linchpin Sunday Oliseh was a near ever-present for Nigeria during the 1996 Olympic Games, playing every minute of the matches he was available for, only missing the semifinal against Brazil through suspension.

The midfielder, like many of his teammates was already a full Nigeria international after starring at the 1994 AFCON and World Cup tournaments as a regular of the first team.

Oliseh played at the highest level of the game, starring for Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Ajax, winning several trophies including two Eredivisie titles, a Bundesliga title and the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

He was also a regular for Nigeria, playing 54 times in nine years, before retiring from the national team in 2003.

Oliseh’s post-retirement adventures saw him take up football management, including a brief spell as coach of the Super Eagles, which ended unceremoniously.

Kingsley Obiekwu

Thanks to the talents of West and Okechukwu, Obiekwu was unable to make an appearance during the Olympic games, but still got a gold medal as part of the squad.

Obiekwu suffered the same fate at the senior international level, making only eight appearances for the Super Eagles.

He spent most of his club career in Nigeria with Udoji United and Enugu Rangers, with spells in the country punctuated by stints at Go Ahead Eagles, Al Masry, and Al Ahli.

After retiring in 2006, Obiekwu turned to management, coaching several clubs in Nigeria before falling on hard times. He alleged being owed up to ₦6 million by former clubs and ended up as a bus driver in a popular Enugu motor park before being given a cash gift by Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.

Mobi Oparaku

Nigeria’s first choice at right-back during the 1996 Olympic Games, Mobi Oparaku played every match as Nigeria went all the way in Atlanta.

Oparaku, like Kanu, Oruma, and the Babayaro brothers also starred in Nigeria’s U-17 winning side just three years prior and also played for the Super Eagles eight times after Olympic glory, including one match at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

He joined Anderlecht in Belgium from Iwuanyanwo Nationale (now Heartland United) in 1995 and spent most of his career in Belgium in lower-class clubs before making moves to America and Jamaica, returning to Nigeria in 2005 with Gateway FC alongside Super Eagles legend Rashidi Yekini.

Oparaku retired from football in 2010 to become a businessman, but also had a brief spell as manager of Heartland United in 2013.

Dosu Joseph

Goalkeeper Dosu Joseph only earned his spot as first choice for the Olympic games weeks before the tournament, unseating previous first-choice Celestine Babayaro.

Joseph played in all six games as the undisputed number one for Nigeria during their run to Olympic gold in 1996 and was superb in goal to help the Dream Team in Atlanta.

Following the success of the Olympic Games, Dosu’s career was set to explode as he earned a move to Italian club Regianna, and was starting to make his mark with the Super Eagles, providing competition for regular first-choice Peter Rufai and playing in two World Cup qualifiers and a friendly within three months.

Unfortunately, his career was cut short by a gruesome motor accident that almost cost him the use of his legs. Joseph was never able to play football again after the tragic accident and was forced to retire at the age of 23.

After his forced retirement, the goalkeeper turned to football administration and became the head of the Westerlo Football Academy.

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