BREAKING: A Year Of Triumphs And Challenges

The year 2024 was an exhilarating time for Nigerian sports, with athletes showcasing their skills and determination across various disciplines on the global stage.

From football to boxing, the spirit of Nigerian athletes shone brightly, particularly through the performances of the Super Eagles, Paralympic champions, and D’Tigress.

This recap highlights key events that shaped the sporting landscape in Nigeria, celebrating both individual and collective accomplishments in Nigerian sports in 2024.

Triumphs in Nigerian Sports in 2024:

1. Lookman Wins CAF Player of the Year Award:

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was honored as the African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco. This prestigious accolade not only underscores Lookman’s exceptional performance but also marks him as the seventh Nigerian to achieve this honor, following Victor Osimhen’s success the previous year.

Lookman had a remarkable year, contributing significantly with three goals and two assists as Nigeria advanced to their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final. His hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen was pivotal in securing the title for Atalanta, making it a memorable season for the striker.

2. The Super Eagles Qualify For 2025 AFCON

While the Super Eagles continue to struggle in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, they had it relatively easier in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. They qualified for the tournament top of Group D with 11 points in 6 games after 3 wins, 2 draws, and one defeat.

3. Lookman Makes Europa League History

Ademola Lookman made headlines by achieving the remarkable feat of scoring a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, propelling Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

This performance not only secured Atalanta’s first major title since 1963 but also showcased Lookman’s exceptional talent on an international stage.

4. Nigeria’s Paralympic Triumph

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Nigeria’s Paralympic team delivered an extraordinary performance, securing a remarkable seven medals comprising two gold, three silver, and two bronze.

Among the standout athletes was Esther Nworgu, who celebrated her silver medal win in the women’s up to 41kg powerlifting final. This event took place on September 4, 2024, at the prestigious La Chapelle Arena in Paris, where Nworgu’s incredible strength and determination shone brightly.

One of the highlights of Nigeria’s campaign came from Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who not only claimed gold but also made history by shattering the world record with an impressive lift of 166 kg in para-powerlifting.

Isau Ogunkunle and Flora Ugwunwa also contributed significantly to the medal tally, showcasing the depth of talent within Nigeria’s Paralympic squad. This outstanding performance has firmly established Nigeria as a dominant force in the global para-sports arena.

5. D’Tigress’ Historic Basketball Achievement

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, etched their names in history during the Paris 2024 Olympics by reaching the quarterfinals for the very first time.

Under the leadership of Murjanatu Musa, who delivered an impressive average of 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, the team exhibited exceptional skill and tenacity on the court. Their journey through the tournament included remarkable victories, particularly a standout win against Australia.

Rena Wakama‘s strategic coaching was recognized when she was awarded the title of Best Coach of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament. This accolade is a testament to the transformative journey D’Tigress has undergone, especially when compared to their winless campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The team’s resilience and determination to improve have brought renewed hope to basketball in Nigeria.

Challenges in Nigerian Sports in 2024

1. Embarrassing 2024 Olympics outing for Nigeria: 

Nigeria’s 88-man contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympics failed to win any medals, marking it as one of Nigeria’s worst runs at the tournament post-Independence.

Amid the embarrassing run, Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili was excluded from the women’s 100m event at the 2024 Olympics despite qualifying, following her previous disqualification from the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

2. Super Eagles Held Hostage In Libya

In an unexpected turn, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were stranded for over 17 hours at Al Abraq Airport in Libya before their 2025 AFCON qualifier.

Key players like Victor Osimhen, Leon Balogun, and William Troost-Ekong expressed their frustration at the lack of essential amenities at the airport.

Due to the difficulties, their 2025 AFCON qualification match against Libya was abandoned and the outcome of the unplayed game had to be decided by the Confederation of African Football Disciplinary Committee.

Ultimately, the committee ruled in Nigeria’s favor, awarding the Super Eagles a 3-0 victory for the abandoned match due to regulatory violations by Libya.

3. Nigeria Falls to Ivory Coast in AFCON Final

In a tightly contested AFCON final, Nigeria faced off against Ivory Coast, ultimately losing 2-1 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan.

Despite an early lead from William Troost-Ekong, Ivory Coast made a strong comeback, with key players equalizing and securing the win.

This victory marked a significant achievement for Ivory Coast, allowing them to share Nigeria’s record of three AFCON titles.

4. Finidi George Steps Down as Coach

Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George decided to resign in June after expressing concerns about inadequate support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

His tenure included a commendable draw against South Africa but was marred by frustrations due to a lack of backing.

Finidi’s departure opened the door for interim coach Austin Eguavoen, with growing calls for his permanent appointment, indicating a desire for stability within the coaching staff.

5. Osimhen’s Transfer Saga with Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga drew much attention as he finalized a season-long loan move to Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli with a break-out option.

The move made him the sixth Nigerian to represent the club, following a summer filled with interest from various European teams.

6. Osimhen and Finidi’s Public Dispute

A public disagreement emerged between Victor Osimhen and former coach Finidi George, igniting discussions within the football community.

Following Osimhen’s withdrawal from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury, Finidi’s remarks regarding his commitment led to a strong response from the striker, who asserted he had communicated his condition to the coach.

6. Anthony Joshua’s Knockout Setback

In a highly anticipated bout at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua faced off against Daniel Dubois in a match that could redefine his career.

However, Joshua’s ambitions to reclaim his place among heavyweight boxing’s elite were thwarted as he suffered a brutal knockout loss.

Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion, displayed exceptional skill and power throughout the fight, knocking Joshua down twice and ultimately landing a decisive blow in the fifth round.

This defeat marked Joshua’s second career knockout loss and raised concerns about his future in the sport.

The loss significantly dims his prospects of recapturing a world title for the third time, leading to intense speculation regarding his next moves in a competitive boxing landscape.