Nigerian stars who shone brightest in 2024

From continental football glory to Paralympic records, Nigerian athletes wrote their names in gold across multiple sporting disciplines in what has been a remarkable year for the country’s sports, reports PETER AKINBO

The year 2024 will go down as one of the most successful in Nigerian sports history, with the country’s athletes breaking new ground and setting unprecedented records across various sporting disciplines.

From Ademola Lookman’s coronation as Africa’s best footballer to Elizabeth Oshoba’s historic world boxing titles, and Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s Paralympic feat, Nigerian athletes have consistently proven their mettle on the global stage.

Lookman the King

When Ademola Lookman was crowned the 2024 CAF African Footballer of The Year in Marrakech, Morocco, it wasn’t just another award ceremony – it was the culmination of a meteoric rise that saw the 27-year-old etch his name alongside Nigeria’s football greats.

 The Atalanta forward’s triumph made him the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award, following Victor Osimhen’s victory in 2023. His remarkable year included three goals and two assists as Nigeria reached their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final in February, while his historic hat-trick secured the UEFA Europa League for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen in May – becoming the first African to score a treble in a major European final.

For his Europa League final exploits, the 27-year-old earned a rare 10 rating from L’Equipe – only the 18th handed out by the French publication, a rating Portuguese legend and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has never won.

His journey from the streets of South London to the pinnacle of African football is a testament to his resilience and determination. Growing up in a deprived area of Wandsworth and having gone to school in Peckham, Lookman carried those memories of hardship with him, using them as motivation to succeed.

During the brilliant documentary ‘South of the River’ on his career, he told of how he would eat at his friends’ houses after playing football, knowing there was no food on the table at home. The struggles of his mother gave him “added fuel in the fire” burning inside him to make it as a professional footballer.

 His exploits have carried into the ongoing 2024/25 season, where he continues to inspire Atalanta, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists across all competitions. The striker’s achievements didn’t go unnoticed on the global stage either. He was the only African nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, where he finished an impressive 14th.

Oshoba makes boxing history

 Elizabeth Oshoba’s rise from humble beginnings in Tigbo-Ilu, Ogun State, to becoming Nigeria’s first female boxing world champion is nothing short of extraordinary. The journey to her historic achievement began in a community where even the basic amenities were a luxury.

 At age 12, she half-heartedly stepped into the world of boxing, encouraged by her older brother, Raphael.  Coming from a poor background meant Oshoba had to trek long distances to and from the boxing gym after school hours. It would take a little over an hour for an adult to walk the distance from Ilogbo-Asowo Community High School to Smart Boxing Gym and Oshoba, while only 12 then, embarked on this journey regularly, with only her bag shielding her from either sun or rain, till she graduated from secondary school in 2016.

 Her dedication paid off spectacularly in 2024. In November 2023, she claimed the IBO female super-featherweight title with a masterful unanimous decision victory over Italy’s Martina Righi, but it was her January performance that truly announced her arrival on the world stage.

 Facing Italian Michela Braga for the WBC silver featherweight championship at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Oshoba dominated from the opening bell. Her superior boxing skills were evident as she controlled the pace of the fight, landing precise combinations and showing excellent defensive awareness.

 After dropping Braga in the eighth round, Oshoba continued to press her advantage, ultimately delivering a knockout blow in the tenth round that made history – securing her place as Nigeria’s first-ever female world title holder.

 The victory was even more impressive given that it came just months after Oshoba had turned professional. Her meteoric rise included two knockout victories in Nigeria – one at the Police College and another at the National Stadium in Lagos – before heading to the United Kingdom in October 2022. There, she quickly racked up three victories, including a first-round TKO in her debut, setting the stage for her world title opportunities.

 “I had tough training, sparred with male boxers and had to improvise a lot back home in Nigeria. I had to motivate myself a lot,” Oshoba told our correspondent.

 “So, I think that prepared me for the opportunities I am seeing now, all those challenges made me stronger. Whenever I remember those moments, it motivates me to give more than 100 per cent.”

 Ekong: AFCON MVP

 William Troost-Ekong’s journey to becoming the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is a testament to perseverance and self-belief. The defender, who was close to calling time on his international career after being overlooked for over a year, emerged as the backbone of Nigeria’s defence in their run to the final in Ivory Coast.

While going through an uncertain future with the Eagles, Ekong was in contact with his teammates and Peseiro each time the Eagles converged for games, wishing them well and reminding the coach of his availability.

 His patience and persistence paid off when he not only made the final squad but regained his place in the starting lineup.

The Al Kholood defender made history at the tournament by becoming the first defender to score three goals in a single AFCON since 2010. His goal against Ivory Coast in the final took his tally to five, making him Nigeria’s highest-scoring defender in the history of the AFCON tournament.

Few players have led the Eagles with such confidence, panache and fearlessness on the field as Ekong. He was never scared to take responsibility during crucial moments and became a reliable defender.

During the penalty shootout against South Africa, Ekong was to take the last spot kick but stepped forward to convert the fourth kick after Ola Aina had missed his effort from 12 yards.

Ekong was also nominated for the CAF Player of The Year award, FIFA The Best XI and was named in the AFCON XI.

 Cricket Queens break new ground

 In an unprecedented achievement for Nigerian cricket, the country’s U-19 women’s team secured Africa’s sole ticket to the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia.

The historic qualification came after an unbeaten run through the qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, marking only the second time Nigeria will be participating in any cricket World Cup.

The team’s journey to qualification included a four-wicket victory over Tanzania, a one-wicket triumph against Zimbabwe, and an overwhelming 86-run win over Malawi to top Group B.

 In the semi-final, they defeated hosts Rwanda by 62 runs before being declared winners of the qualifier when their final rematch with Zimbabwe was interrupted by rain.

Captain Lucky Piety will lead the unchanged squad from the qualifiers to the World Cup in Malaysia next year, including standout performers Shola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, and Anointed Aikigbe. The team will be led by Kenyan coach Sarah Bakhita, assisted by former Yellow Greens captain Blessing Etim.

 “First, I must thank the players for their boldness and dedication to this project,” Nigeria Cricket Federation President Uyi Akpata said.

 “The World Cup is a bigger task; we need more resources and a robust plan to run a successful campaign. All hands must be on deck, and it starts now.”

D’Tigress Olympic feat

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, wrote their names in the history books at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first African basketball team to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics.

Their historic run included a stunning victory over Australia in their opening game, setting the tone for what would be a memorable tournament.

Under the guidance of coach Rena Wakama, who was later named the Best Female Basketball Coach at the Games, the team’s achievement was even more remarkable, considering they had lost to the USA by 56 points in the qualifiers just months earlier.

Their impressive showing at the Olympics contributed to a significant rise in the FIBA world rankings, with D’Tigress climbing four spots to occupy the eighth position globally while maintaining their status as Africa’s top-ranked team.

 The team also secured their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title earlier in the year, cementing their dominance in African basketball.

 Oluwafemiayo’s triple gold

 Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s remarkable performance at the Paris Paralympics wasn’t just about defending her title – it was about making history. The para-powerlifter became the first female para-athlete in history to lift 167kg, breaking her own world record in the process.

With the gold medal already secured at 166kg, the 39-year-old returned for one more attempt, successfully lifting 167kg to improve her world record further. Her dedication to training, even through illness and pain, exemplified the spirit that has made her a multiple world champion.

 “I never allow anything to distract me, though sometimes I have pains,” Oluwafemiayo told BBC Sport Africa.

“But still, I don’t want anything that will depress me from achieving my goal.”

Her success was part of a broader triumph for Nigeria’s para-powerlifters, who won four medals in total in the French capital. The remarkable success of African competitors was evident in the para-powerlifting medal table, with Egypt finishing third and Nigeria fourth in the overall standings.

Bolaji’s breakthrough

Eighteen-year-old Eniola Bolaji made history as the first African athlete to win a medal in Para-Badminton at the Paralympics.

Her bronze medal victory in the Women’s Singles SL3 category marked a significant milestone for both Nigeria and the continent.

Despite falling short of gold in the semi-finals, losing 2-0 (16-21, 17-21) to China’s Zuxian Xiao, Bolaji’s resilience shone through as she defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) to secure the historic medal.

“It was an incredible round-up as I secured a bronze medal for myself, my country, my supporters, and Africa at large,” she said after her victory. The young athlete dedicated her achievement to her late coach, Bello Oyebanji, highlighting the emotional significance of her triumph.

 The significance of her feat was not lost on President Bola Tinubu, who praised her as “a fine example of the resourcefulness, talent, and grit of Nigeria’s youths.”

 The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, emphasized how Bolaji’s triumph showcased the potential of Nigerian athletes on the global stage.

 African Games Success Story

 Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 13th African Games in Ghana, with 120 medals including 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze, highlighted the emergence of a new generation of athletes ready to take over from established stars.

 The Games unveiled several promising talents across various sports.

 Seventeen-year-old Prestina Ochonogor claimed bronze in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.67m, while competing against established star Ese Brume. Nineteen-year-old Joy Eze dominated the weightlifting competition, claiming all three gold medals in her new 71kg category.

 In wrestling, 22-year-old Esther Kolawole continued her meteoric rise by claiming gold in the 62kg event, adding to her impressive collection that includes Commonwealth Games bronze and African Championships silver.

 Fellow 22-year-old Christianah Ogunsanya also struck gold in the 53kg weight class, marking a successful African Games debut.

 The boxing ring saw similar success with young talents, as 22-year-old Joy Ojo claimed gold in the women’s 57kg category, while 24-year-old Dolapo Omole secured his gold with two knockout wins en route to the title.

 In weightlifting, Edidiong Umoafia, competing in the men’s 67kg category, delivered a masterclass performance by sweeping all three gold medals. Similarly, 23-year-old Ruth Ayodele dominated her category with three golds, lifting 94kg in snatch, 144kg in clean and jerk for a total of 208kg.

 The emergence of stars like 21-year-old Olayinka Olajide in athletics, who claimed medals of every colour – gold in the 4x100m relays, silver in the 200m with a personal best of 23.18 seconds, and bronze in the 100m – suggests a bright future for Nigerian sports.

Boniface, Tella and Leverkusen’s historic double

Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella played pivotal roles in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 2023/24 season. The German club’s 120-year wait for a Bundesliga title ended in spectacular fashion as they completed an unbeaten league campaign while securing their first domestic double.

Boniface’s impact was immediate and decisive following his summer arrival. Despite a four-month injury layoff, the striker’s 14 goals and nine assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances helped propel Leverkusen to their maiden league title. His overall contribution of 21 goals and 10 assists across all competitions, coupled with his dynamic performances, earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of The Season award.

Tella proved equally crucial to Leverkusen’s success, particularly during Boniface’s absence. The versatile forward stepped up when needed most, contributing five goals and two assists in 24 league appearances. Their combined performances under Xabi Alonso’s guidance helped transform a team that hadn’t won major silverware since their 1993 German Cup triumph into unstoppable force, ending Bayern Munich’s decade-long dominance of German football.

These achievements across multiple sports disciplines in 2024 have not only elevated Nigeria’s sporting profile but have also inspired a new generation of athletes. From Lookman’s continental football dominance to Oshoba’s world boxing titles, Ekong’s AFCON heroics, and multiple Paralympic breakthroughs, Nigerian athletes have proven that with determination and support, they can compete and excel at the highest level of global sports.