The year 2024 will go down in history as a remarkable period for Nigerian sports, showcasing the nation’s strength across diverse sports disciplines. From record-breaking individual athletes’ feats to historic team performances, Nigerian athletes left an impressive mark on the global stage.
In this piece, CompleteSports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI spotlights 15 memorable sporting moments that defined the year for Nigeria.
1 – William Troost-Ekong Named AFCON 2023 MVP
Despite finishing as runners-up, Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong was named the Most Valuable Player at AFCON 2023.
Troost-Ekong scored three goals during the tournament, including one in the final, which unfortunately was not enough as the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
2 – Troost-Ekong, Lookman, and Aina Make AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament
Super Eagles trio Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Ademola Lookman were included in the AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament.
The Eagles had the highest representation alongside hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the tournament’s Best XI.
3 – D’Tigress Shine at Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, had a memorable outing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Not many tipped the team to advance past the group stage after being drawn with heavyweights like Australia, France, and Canada.
To everyone’s surprise, D’Tigress defeated Australia on opening day, their first-ever group stage victory at the Olympics.
Although they lost to France, they bounced back to stun Canada, securing a ticket to the knockout round and becoming the first African basketball team, male or female, to play in the Olympic quarter-finals.
Their campaign eventually came to an end with a spirited loss to the USA.
4 – D’Tigress Coach Rena Wakama Named Best Female Coach at Paris Olympics
D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama was named the Best Female Basketball Coach at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 32-year-old guided the team out of a tough group that included France, Australia, and Canada, recording two wins and one defeat.
Unfortunately, Wakama could not take them beyond the quarter-finals, as they fell to eventual gold medallists, the USA, despite a valiant effort.
5 – Ademola Lookman Bags Hat-trick in Europa League Final
Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman scored all three goals as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.
It was the first time a player scored three goals in the final of Europe’s second-tier club competition.
6 – Lookman Ranked 14th in 2024 Ballon d’Or Award
Following his impressive performances for Atalanta, which included a hat-trick in the Europa League final, Ademola Lookman was nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
In the final 30-man shortlist, Lookman was ranked 14th, while Spain and Manchester City star Rodri won the award.
7 – Nigeria’s U-18 Women’s Basketball Team Qualify for 2025 World Cup
Despite a shaky start to their campaign at the U-18 Women’s AfroBasket, where they finished as one of the best third-placed teams, the Junior D’Tigress reached the final.
Reaching the final meant they clinched one of the two tickets available for the 2025 FIBA U-19 World Cup in the Czech Republic.
Unfortunately, the team could not end their campaign on a high as they lost the AfroBasket final to Mali, who secured a record-extending ninth title.
8 – Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella Win Historic Bundesliga Title with Bayer Leverkusen
Nigerian duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella helped Bayer Leverkusen become Bundesliga champions for the first time in the 2023/2024 season.
It was a historic title win for Leverkusen, who went the entire league campaign unbeaten.
While Boniface contributed 14 goals in 23 games during the title-winning campaign, Tella scored five goals in 24 games.
9 – Super Eagles Qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The three-time AFCON winners finished top of a group that included Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya.
Qualification was sealed with two games to spare after Libya edged Rwanda in Kigali.
10 – Team Nigeria Impresses at Paris 2024 Paralympics
As in previous editions, Team Nigeria’s para-athletes put up a wonderful performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The team secured two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo shattered her own world record in the women’s over-86kg Para-Powerlifting event, lifting an incredible 167kg to win gold.
11 – Anuoluwapo Opeyori Makes History in Badminton
Two-time African Games champion Anuoluwapo Opeyori secured a historic Paris 2024 Olympics qualification ticket.
His qualification meant he became the first Nigerian badminton player to qualify for the Olympics back-to-back.
Opeyori has dominated the African badminton scene since 2019, boasting four African Championship titles and two African Games titles in the men’s singles category.
12 – Nigeria Police Officer Juliet Chukwu Wins Historic EFC Bantamweight Title in South Africa
Corporal Juliet Chukwu of the Nigeria Police, a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, made history by becoming the first Nigerian female to win the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Women’s Bantamweight title.
Chukwu achieved the feat with a dominant victory over South Africa’s Dana Van Wyk at EFC 119 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
13 – Emeka Nwokolo Wins WBA Titles
In June, Nigeria’s Emeka Nwokolo clinched the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association super welterweight and Universal Boxing Organisation world super welterweight belts.
Nwokolo, 31, defeated Colombia’s Jeovanis Barraza with judges’ scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 118-110.
The son of Nigerian boxing legend Charles Nwokolo added the NABA regional belt and the UBO world title to his collection.
14 – Chiamaka Nnadozie Retains CAF Best Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Super Falcons first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie retained the CAF Best Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Nnadozie achieved the feat at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.
She was also in contention for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award but lost to Zambia’s Barbra Banda.
15 – Ademola Lookman Crowned 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year
Super Eagles and Atalanta star forward Ademola Lookman was named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman finished ahead of homeboy Achraf Hakimi, Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy.
He succeeded compatriot Victor Osimhen as the new recipient of the award and became the sixth Nigerian to win the accolade.
Other Nigerians who have won the award include the late Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Victor Osimhen.
