(BEIJING, August 22) -- South America and Africa have shared the gold medals from the previous three Olympics. Argentina swooped on Athens 2004, scoring 17 goals without conceding one. Nigeria seized Atlanta 1996 by beating Argentina 3-2 in the final, while Cameroon stumbled into the final of Athens 2004 but won the gold after winning a penalty shootout against Spain.

　　The relay race between the two continents will carry on because the Atlanta 1996 finalists will meet again in tomorrow's Olympic final. Argentina bundled its South American arch rival Brazil out of gold medal contention through a comprehensive 3-0 victory, while Nigeria skipped passed Belgium in the other semifinal, defeating the European minnow 4-1.

　　Besides Atlanta 1996, Argentina has won the other three games that it has played against Nigeria in major senior-level international tournaments, including two group-stage victories at the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.

　　Argentina also won the final of the 2005 U-20 World Cup, with the then 19-year-old Lionel Messi converting two penalties to help Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1. Messi has been one of the most influential players at Beijing 2008, contributing two goals and one assist in the four matches he played in Beijing.

　　Sergio Aguero, who bagged two goals for Argentina in the semifinal against Brazil, was also in the team that won the 2005 U-20 World Cup.

　　Nigeria has nine members from its 2005 U-20 team, including its scorer in the final, Chinedu Ogbuke and the coach Samson Siasia.