Super Falcons star striker Asisat Oshoala and former Nigeria international, Perpetual Nkwocha, have been included in Africa’s 25 Best Athletes of the 21st Century list.
The list of Africa’s 25 Best Athletes of the 21st Century was compiled by ESPN.
Aside Oshoala and Nkwocha, other Nigerians who made the list include Mix Martial Art (MMA) stars Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman and American Football star Osi Umenyiora.
Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane made the cut while athletics greats such as Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), Caster Semenya (South Africa), Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya), Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) among others were listed.
Commenting on Oshoala, ESPN wrote: “Oshoala, who currently plays for Bay FC in the NWSL, has taken African women’s football to new heights. The Nigeria striker has been the African women’s Player of the Year a record six times, thanks in large part to her stellar five seasons with Barcelona.
“Her 92 league goals for Barça came at a rate of roughly one every 65 minutes. There, she won the Spanish Primera Division four times, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League thrice. For Nigeria, she’s been part of the Super Falcons side that won the African title three times, and is set to represent the Super Falcons again at the Paris Olympics.“
In its remarks on Adesanya: “Born in Lagos, although he moved to New Zealand aged 10 after a brief stint living in Ghana, Adesanya dominated the middleweight division of the UFC from 2019-2022, finally losing to Alex Pereira in November 2022 before beating him in a rematch five months later.
“Adesanya lost his belt again to Sean Strickland later that year, but has a chance to win it back against South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth. Adesanya will be 35 years old by the time that fight happens but whether or not he dethrones du Plessis (30), he will go down in history as one of the sport’s greatest ever, fulfilling ESPN’s prophecy of him as the “next big thing.”
The global sport media outfit described Nkwocha as prolific in front of goal.
“A prolific goalscoring midfielder who conquered Africa five times with a dominant Nigeria side, former Super Falcons captain Nkwocha has made a name for herself in Sweden both as a player for Sunnanå SK and later as a coach for Clemensnäs IF.
“Nkwocha combined dazzling dribbling skills with ruthless efficiency in front of goal to etch her name into the history books as one of the greatest African women’s footballers ever.“
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Writing on Usman’s exploits in MMA, ESPN stated: “Born in Auchi in Edo State, Nigeria, Usman’s run as UFC welterweight champion coincided almost precisely with Adesanya’s as middleweight king. Both held their belts from 2019-2022, with five successful title defenses. In 2021, Usman was ESPN’s Male Fighter of the Year after wins over Gilbert Burns by TKO, Jorge Masvidal by KO (punch) and Colby Covington by unanimous decision.“
Concerning Umenyiora: “Born in London to Nigerian parents, New York Giants legend Umenyiora spent much of his childhood in Nigeria and continues his post-NFL in Lagos as a talent developer. The defensive end was drafted from Troy in 2003 by the New York Giants and although he did not immediately find his stride in the NFL, he was an impenetrable presence by 2005, gaining All-Pro recognition. Umenyiora was named to Pro Bowls that year and again in 2007, and was the NFL’s leader in forced fumbles in 2010.
“His most impressive performance came against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, as he picked up six sacks, but his Giants legacy is equally defined by twice being part of a defense that got the better of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Umenyiora had a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons before signing a one-day ceremonial contract to retire as a Giant in 2015.“
Africa’s 25 Best Athletes of 21st Century:
– Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia / Long-distance running)
– Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya / Long-distance running)
– Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon / Football)
– Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe/ Swimming)
– Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia / Long-distance running)
– Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire/ Football)
– Faith Kipyegon (Middle and Long-distance running)
– Jacques Kallis (South Africa / Cricket)
– Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria / Football)
– Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Football)
– Joel Embiid (Cameroon / Basketball)
– Siya Kolisi (South Africa / Rugby)
– Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire / Football)
– Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa / Athletics)
– Israel Adesanya (Nigeria / MMA)
– Ernst van Dyk (South Africa / Wheelchair racing & Handcycling)
– Caster Semenya (South Africa/ Middle-distance running)
– Mary Keitany (Kenya / Long-distance running)
– Sadio Mane (Senegal / Football)
– Perpetual Nkwocha (Nigeria / Football)
– Chad le Clos (South Africa / Swimming)
– Ramy Ashour (Egypt / Squash)
– Kamaru Usman (Nigeria / MMA)
– Osi Umenyiora (Nigeria / American Football)
– Mwadi Mabika (DR Congo / Basketball)
