Learnings from an Olympic Gold Medal Team on How High-Performing Teams can be Built

The Nigerian 1996 Football Olympics Gold Medal Team. Image credits: CNN

It was the summer of 1996, and the Nigerian Olympic football team was gearing up for the biggest tournament of their lives. They had come a long way since their formation, with a group of young, talented players coming together to represent their country on the world stage.

The team had been preparing for the arduous undertaking for months, both psychologically and physically. They knew they were competing against some of the top teams in the world, like Italy, Brazil, and Argentina. Yet, they were motivated to succeed and win the gold medal for Nigeria.

Jo Bonfrere, a Dutchman who coached the squad, had spent many hours honing his players’ strategies and fostering the growth of their skills. He was aware of their talent for success, but he also understood that teamwork was the only way for them to achieve it.

And that’s exactly what they did. From the tournament’s first game, the Nigerian team showed they were a force to be reckoned with. Led by their captain, Nwankwo Kanu, they played with skill, determination, and a fierce sense of team spirit.

In their first match, they faced Hungary, a formidable opponent that had defeated them in a previous friendly. But this time, the Nigerians were ready. They played with intensity and purpose and bagged a 1–0 victory.

The Nigerians once again displayed their prowess in their subsequent match against Japan. They won the game 2–0 and are now well-positioned to move on to the knockout rounds thanks to a solid defensive line and a relentless attack.

They, however, experienced some heartbreak when the star-studded Brazillian team, including Ronaldo, Bebeto, and Roberto Carlos, defeated them one goal to nil. They also had a smooth ride when they defeated Mexico by two goals to nil in the quarter-final.

The match versus Brazil in the semifinals was the true test, though. The Brazilians were the defending Olympic champions with stars like Ronaldo, Bebeto, and Roberto Carlos on their roster. The Nigerians, however, were unfazed. They played with a level of focus and energy that stunned the Brazilians, scoring twice in the opening period to seize the initiative. Brazil came back in the second half, but it was too late. In what many regarded as one of the greatest games in Olympic football history, the Nigerians hung on to win 4–3.

And in that final game, against a tough Argentinian team, the Nigerians played with all their heart and soul. They were fast, they were precise, and they were fearless. They attacked relentlessly, and when the final whistle blew, they had secured a 3–2 victory and the Olympic gold medal.

It culminated years of hard work and dedication for the Nigerian team. They triumphed after overcoming obstacles and competing against some of the top teams in the world. They served as a bright example of what can be accomplished when gifted individuals work together as a team toward a common objective. And because of their outstanding achievement at the Olympic Games in 1996, they will always be recognized as heroes by the Nigerian people.

Reflecting on the journey of the Olympic team, it is safe to say that “it is better to have a cohesive/functional team with average talents than have a team of dysfunctional talented people.”
NB:
I do not imply that the teams defeated were dysfunctional.

Some characteristics we can draw from the Nigerian Olympic team about high-performing teams:

1. High-performing teams have clear goals: They clearly understand their goals and objectives. They know what they are working towards and why it is important. The leader’s job is to paint the goal to the team. Bonfrere Jo instilled a mindset into the hearts of the players that they were not in the tournament to complete the numbers but to make a mark. He meant this, it showed in his passion and his messaging to the players and the press. You probably want to check out youtube for some videos of the matches.
2. Trust: Trust is a critical component of high-performing teams. Team members trust each other to do their part, be reliable, and communicate effectively. The Nigerian team so trusted each other that Celestine Babayaro (left-center back) once said he was sure Daniel Amokachi would get the ball if he gave a through pass from a certain distance. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (midfielder) knew Kanu Nwankwo (captain/striker) would be in the box if he crossed the ball. You must know/understand the abilities of your team members and trust that everyone will do their job.
3. Collaboration: High-performing teams work collaboratively, leveraging the strengths and skills of each team member to achieve their goals. Know the weaknesses and strengths of your teammates and leverage this to your advantage. The teammates were not trying to steal the spotlight. People knew Jay-Jay Okocha(midfielder) was a great dribbler and crosser, so he was allowed to play this role well; Sunday Oliseh (defensive midfielder) was a great free-kick taker, and he was allowed to perform this duty. A lot of teams miss out on opportunities because the star member is the one who must handle all the key responsibilities at all times. This would lead to burnout of the star players, others won’t have the opportunity to grow, and jealousy/strive might begin to set in; this is bad for any team, irrespective of the context, not just football.
4. Open communication: Effective teams are more likely to perform well. Members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, asking questions, and giving feedback. We’ve discussed communication in a previous chapter, so I won’t dwell on this. I will mention that communication is very important, and you should pay attention to this as a leader or aspiring leader.
5. Accountability: Team members hold themselves and each other accountable for their performance and the outcomes they achieve. The captain (Kanu Nwankwo) demonstrated accountability a lot by stepping up into the situation when needed. He was held accountable when one of the team members went partying during the tournament. Many leaders are partial and afraid to hold others accountable for their actions. As a leader, you must also be willing to take responsibility for yourself and the team when something goes wrong.
6. Continuous learning/growth: High-performing teams always learn and look for improvement. They encourage innovation and experimentation and are willing to take risks. Some of the players in the 1996 Olympics had played in the 1994 USA world cup, where Nigeria got knocked out in the second round of the competition (round of 16). The team had also been defeated in some friendly matches before the competition, they were able to retrospect and improve on their flaws and adopt new strategies. “The team that stops growing would soon start going down.
7. Positive attitude: High-performing teams have a positive attitude and are committed to achieving their goals. They support each other and celebrate their successes. Even when the team was down by a goal or two, they kept their spirits high and pushed on. When something goes wrong, that is not the time to point fingers and blame others. Even if a team member makes a mistake, everyone should come together to figure out a mitigation plan because in a team, a failure for one is a failure for all.
8. Diversity: High-performing teams value diversity, recognizing that it brings new perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking to the team. The team included members from different tribes, football leagues, talents, etc. All of these people brought different skill sets and experiences to the table. Diversity is a very important topic in the 21st-century leadership because it is easy to get trapped in your bubble. Open perspectives matter and can help teams.

This article is an excerpt from my book: Leadership 101 for Millennials and Gen Z.

Book Cover

You can order it today. Order on Amazon.