NIGERIA scored a sensational victory over Brazil in sudden death extra time early this morning to book their place in the Olympic soccer final. Ajax Amsterdam striker Nwankwo Kanu was Nigeria's hero, scoring a dramatic 90th minute equaliser from three yards to level the tie and then rifling home the winner Just three minutes after the re-start.

The Nigenaas, who had missed a penalty and were 31 down with less than 10 minutes left on the clock when Victor Ikpeba threw them a lifeline, now face Argentina on Saturday.

The turning point came with a superb cross by Everton's Daniel Amokachi which split three retreating Brazilian defenders and found Ikpeba completely unmarked outside the box. The Monaco ace did not hesitate, striking the ball first time from 20 yards past Brazilian. goalkeeper Dida in the 81st minute.

Nigeria piled on the pressure and were rewarded at the death when Kanu picked up a loose ball, swivelled around and fired underneath Dida and past Ze Maria on the line. Kanu then went one better, collecting the ball outside the area, stepping a defender and rattling home an unstoppable shot.

Brazil rocked the Nigerians with a goal in only the second minute after Bebeto had been brought down outside the box. Midfielder Flavio Conceicao blasted the 25 yard free kick through the wall, defleeting the ball past goalkeeper Joseph Dosu.

However, Nigeria simply shrugged off the setback and their flowing, attacking football was rewarded in the 20th minute, Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos missing a first time clearance into the net.

Nigeria kept the pressure up but found themselves behind again seven minutes later, when Ronaldinho was given a free shot from close range. Dosu parried, but the ball bobbled to the feet of Bebeto, who flicked it into an open net. Brazil's third was not long incoming, with Middlesbrough's Juninho chesting a throughball into the path of Conceicao who scooped it past Dosu in the 36th minute.