The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Nigeria's Olympic team has powered into the final of the men's competition with a 4-1 win over surprise semi-finalists Belgium in Shanghai.

It means they are guaranteed at least a silver medal from the Games.

Olubayo Adefemi gave Nigeria an early lead and Everton's Victor Anichyebe set up Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi for the second after half-time.

Obasi scored his second and Chibuzor Okonkwo hit the fourth before Laurent Ciman claimed a late consolation goal.

Nigeria had been given an ultimatum over their lax approach to the tournament by coach Samson Siasia and the team responded in style.

The so-called "Dream Team" are hoping to match the achievement of their compatriots who won gold in 1996 in Atlanta.

They started with a bang as Peter Odemwingie forced a save from the Belgian keeper in the opening minute of the game.

Adefemi opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a low drive from the edge of the box, which Logan Bailly in the Belgian goal got a hand to but could not keep out.

The score at half-time was 1-0 but in the second period Nigeria cut loose.

Just after coming on as a substitute, Anichebe created the second with a perfect pass for Obasi to fire home.

He missed a glorious chance of his own a few minutes after that, but with 20 minutes to go a huge strike from distance from Obasi put the game beyond Belgium.

Okonkwo grabbed the fourth with an even longer-distance shot, and despite Belgium's late goal from Ciman the Nigerians went through in style.