Super Eagles dispatch Belgium

Obasi bags a brace as Nigeria ease into final

By James Pearson   Last updated: 19th August 2008

Olubayo Adefemi Nigeria v Belgium Olympics semi-finals

Nigeria celebrate Adefemi's opener

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Nigeria are through to the final of the Olympics following a 4-1 success over surprise package Belgium in Shanghai.

The Super Eagles are now 90 minutes away from re-claiming the title they last won in Atlanta 1996.

Belgium upset Italy 3-2 with only ten men in their quarter-final tie, but there was no repeat of their heroics this time around.

Nigeria were on the front foot from the off and their pressure told when Olubayo Adefemi slotted home past Logan Bailly in the 17th minute.

Killer second

The Super Eagles continued to press, but were forced to wait until just before the hour mark to add a second and swing the contest in their favour.

There was an element of fortune in their goal as well with Ogbuke Obasi looking offside before receiving Victor Anichebe's pass and guiding home his left-footed shot past Bailly.

Nigeria added the icing on the cake late on though Obasi's second, a 25-yard strike, with Chibuzor Okonkwo adding a fourth in the 78th minute.

Belgium did have the final say, but substitute Laurent Ciman's effort in the closing stages proved nothing more than a consolation.