The year 2024 was an exciting one for Nigerian sports, with athletes demonstrating incredible skill and determination on the global stage. Whether in football, boxing, or other sports, Nigerian athletes truly stood out, especially through the remarkable performances of the Super Eagles, Paralympic champions, and D’Tigress.
Also, for Nigerian sports fans, 2024 was a year to remember, filled with unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years. From groundbreaking achievements on the world stage to thrilling local competitions, the love for sports in Nigeria reached new levels of excitement and pride.
Nigerian athletes across football, athletics, basketball, and more showcased their extraordinary talent and relentless spirit, inspiring millions. These events not only brought the nation together but also highlighted the deep passion Nigerians have for sports.
Sporting Events That Defined 2024 for Nigerian Fans
1. African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria came close to securing their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title but fell short in a tough final against a determined Ivory Coast. The hosts triumphed 2-1 in front of a passionate crowd at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, claiming their third continental crown and denying Nigeria the chance to match Ghana’s record of four AFCON wins.
Nigeria seemed poised to repeat their earlier 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in the group stage when captain William Troost-Ekong scored off a perfect corner from Ademola Lookman just before halftime. However, Ivory Coast responded with resilience, determined not to disappoint their home fans.
For many Nigerians, the final was a story of missed chances. Calvin Bassey’s crucial block and Stanley Nwabali’s key saves initially kept Ivory Coast at bay, but Nigeria struggled under late pressure. It was the first time the Super Eagles trailed in the tournament since their opening match, and they couldn’t recover.
Ivory Coast’s victory was proof of their strength and resilience, joining Nigeria with three AFCON titles and securing their place in African football history. For Nigeria, the defeat serves as a bittersweet reminder of a promising campaign that ended just shy of glory.
2. Europa League final
Ademola Lookman made football history by leading Atalanta to a dominant 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final. The Nigerian forward’s stunning hat-trick not only ended Leverkusen’s remarkable 51-match unbeaten streak but also secured Atalanta’s second major trophy in their 117-year history.
The final, held at a packed Aviva Stadium, saw Lookman shine from the very beginning. The 26-year-old, who has rejuvenated his career under Gian Piero Gasperini in Italy, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a composed finish from Davide Zappacosta’s cutback.
Just seven minutes later, Lookman capitalized on a defensive mistake, curling a beautiful right-footed shot into the bottom corner to double Atalanta’s lead. The night belonged to Lookman, who completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner.
His extraordinary performance made him the first player since Jupp Heynckes in 1975 to score three goals in a major European final. The final whistle marked a moment of pure joy for Atalanta, as Lookman was lifted into the air by his ecstatic teammates.
The club celebrated their first European trophy and their first major title since winning the 1963 Italian Cup. For Nigerian football, Lookman’s heroics in Europe’s second-tier competition brought immense pride. His unforgettable performance will be remembered as a standout moment for Nigerian sports.
3. Adesanya vs. Du Plessis UFC fight
In a dramatic turn of events at UFC 305, Dricus Du Plessis made history by handing Israel Adesanya the first submission loss of his storied MMA career. The fight, which headlined UFC’s biggest event of the year, was a landmark occasion as the first-ever title bout between two African fighters, marking a significant milestone for both the sport and the continent.
Du Plessis, the 30-year-old South African champion, entered the Octagon with the momentum from his title-winning victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Adesanya, eager to regain his former glory after a crushing loss earlier in the year, came out strong.
By the third round, the fight had evolved into an exciting back-and-forth exchange, with both fighters demonstrating their world-class skills. However, the tide shifted in the fourth round when Du Plessis unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes.
Though Adesanya quickly clarified that he wasn’t rocked, he found himself trapped in a dangerous submission hold that ultimately determined the outcome. The scorecards were split at the time of the stoppage, but Du Plessis left no doubt with his dominant finish. After the fight, Adesanya was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that Du Plessis was the better fighter on the night.
4. Paris Olympics 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympics will remain a bitter memory for Nigeria, who entered the Games with high hopes and considerable investment. Buoyed by strong performances at the African Games, where Nigeria earned a respectable medal haul.
However, the reality was grim as Nigeria left Paris without a single medal, marking the eighth time the country failed to make the podium at the Summer Olympics. With a delegation of 88 athletes, Nigeria joined the ranks of other medal-less campaigns, such as those in Helsinki (1952), Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960), Mexico City (1968), Moscow (1980), Seoul (1988), and London (2012).
However, African countries like Egypt earned three medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, despite Nigeria topping the African Games medal table with 40 golds. Nigerian athletes gave their all but fell short in crucial moments.
Favour Ofili finished 6th in the women’s 200-meter final, while Blessing Oborududu narrowly missed a bronze in freestyle wrestling (68 kg). In the long jump, Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor reached the finals but failed to secure top-three finishes. The campaign was also marred by controversies revealing administrative inefficiencies.
Cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, Nigeria’s first Olympic cyclist, revealed she had borrowed a bicycle from German competitors to participate. Favour Ofili also accused the Nigerian Olympic Committee and Athletics Federation of Nigeria of neglecting her entry for the 100-meter event, forcing her to focus solely on the 200-meter.
5. Paralympics 2024
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games reinforced Nigeria’s standing as a powerhouse in adaptive sports, continuing its unbroken medal streak since its debut in 1992. From August 28 to September 8, Nigerian athletes showcased incredible determination, securing seven medals—two gold, three silver, and two bronze—finishing 40th on the overall medal table.
While Nigeria’s Olympic team faced sharp criticism for its failure to win any medals earlier in the summer, the Paralympians rose to the occasion, becoming the nation’s heroes. Their success sparked renewed discussions about the mismanagement of talent by the Nigeria Athletics Federation (AFN) and Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC).
One of the standout performances came from Onyinyechi Mark in the women’s 61kg powerlifting category. At just 23 years old, she set both Paralympic and world records, lifting 147kg in her final attempt to win Nigeria’s first gold medal.
Another golden moment was delivered by Folashade in the women’s over 86kg powerlifting, where her 166kg lift earned her a gold medal. In the F54 javelin event, Flora Ugwunwa claimed silver with a 19.26-meter throw, just shy of gold to Uzbekistan’s Nurkhon Kurbanova, who set a new world record with a 21.12-meter throw.
Esther Nworgu also won silver in the women’s up to 41kg powerlifting, breaking two Paralympic records with lifts of 112kg and 118kg. Isaac Ogunkunle made history in para table tennis, securing bronze in the men’s singles Class 4 event after defeating top players, including reigning Paralympic champion Abdullah Ozturk of Turkey.
6. Ballon d’Or Nominations
A landmark moment for Nigerian football came in 2024 when Ademola Lookman earned a spot among the 30 nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, placing him among the world’s elite footballers.
The award, presented annually by France Football, recognizes the best male and female players globally and is regarded as the pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport. Lookman, 27, became the sole Nigerian representative on the 2024 shortlist, joining a legendary list of Nigerian players previously nominated.
His inclusion stemmed from an extraordinary season with Atalanta, where his brilliance led the Italian side to the UEFA Europa League final. Lookman also played a pivotal role in the Super Eagles’ strong run to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, making him one of the most impactful players of the year.
Historically, only eight Nigerian players have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, starting with Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha in 1995. Nwankwo Kanu, another Nigerian icon, received nominations in 1996 and 1999 during his stellar career at Arsenal and Inter Milan. Lookman’s inclusion in the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees reflects Nigeria’s growing influence on global football.
7. CAF Men’s Awards Nominations
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the official nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards, recognizing the top performances in African football from January to October 2024. The ceremony, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, will celebrate the continent’s footballing excellence.
This follows the 2023 edition, where Victor Osimhen claimed the African Player of the Year title, and Asisat Oshoala won the women’s category. Despite Osimhen’s exceptional form, including his stellar performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he did not make the top 10 nominees for this year’s Player of the Year award, nor did national team coach Jose Peseiro, who guided Nigeria to the AFCON final.
Nigerian stars such as Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Stanley Nwabali were nominated in the men’s category. Lookman, the only Nigerian in the running for the coveted prize, will compete with Simon Adingra from Côte d’Ivoire, Serhou Guirassy from Guinea, Achraf Hakimi from Morocco, and Ronwen Williams from South Africa.
Notably, Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali was excluded from the final shortlist for the CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, despite his exceptional performances at AFCON, including four clean sheets and crucial penalty saves in the semifinal shootout.
8. CAF Women’s Awards Nominations
In another remarkable achievement for Nigerian football, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named among the final three contenders for the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award. The shortlist, announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), also features Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy.
Nnadozie, a 24-year-old goalkeeper for Paris FC in France’s Division 1 Féminine, has had an outstanding year, helping her club secure a third-place finish in the league. With a 33% clean sheet ratio, she earned the Goalkeeper of the Season award for the 2023/24 campaign.
Her brilliance wasn’t confined to club football. Representing Nigeria at the Paris Olympics, Nnadozie’s heroic displays in goal earned her widespread acclaim despite the Super Falcons’ struggles. Her nomination underscores her consistency, hard work, and impact on the pitch.
The CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award is one of Africa’s most prestigious honors, and Nnadozie’s inclusion continues Nigeria’s proud legacy in the category. Unfortunately, she lost the award to Zambia’s Barbra Banda but was recognized with the Best Goalkeeper’s award, solidifying her place as one of Africa’s finest players.
9. Ballon d’Or Awards Night
Ademola Lookman made history by securing 14th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, marking his debut in the race for football’s most prestigious individual award. The announcement, made at a glittering ceremony in Paris, highlighted Lookman’s exceptional rise to prominence.
Lookman enjoyed a sensational 2023-24 season, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in Serie A. His European exploits stood out as he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final, leading Atalanta to a Europa League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
As the only African representative on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Lookman’s achievement was celebrated within Nigeria and across African football. His remarkable rise follows Victor Osimhen’s eighth-place finish in 2023, ending a 24-year drought of Nigerian nominations since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
10. CAF Awards Night
The 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco, celebrated footballing excellence across the continent. Nigeria emerged as one of the night’s big winners, with Ademola Lookman claiming the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award.
Lookman succeeded compatriot Victor Osimhen, securing back-to-back wins for Nigeria in this category. His performances, including his historic Europa League hat-trick and his inspiring play at AFCON, earned him the top honor.
Chiamaka Nnadozie also added to Nigeria’s accolades by winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive time. Nnadozie’s commanding presence for Paris FC and the Super Falcons cemented her status as one of Africa’s finest. Additionally, Nigeria’s women’s national team won the Team of the Year award.
Challenging Moments in Nigerian Sports 2024
1. Disappointing 2024 Olympics for Nigeria
Nigeria’s 88-member team to the Paris 2024 Olympics failed to secure any medals, making it one of the country’s worst performances at the Games since Independence.
Amid this disappointment, Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili was controversially excluded from the women’s 100m event despite having qualified, following her previous disqualification at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
2. Super Eagles Stranded in Libya
In an unexpected twist, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were stranded for over 17 hours at Al Abraq Airport in Libya ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifier. Key players such as Victor Osimhen, Leon Balogun, and William Troost-Ekong voiced their frustrations with the lack of basic amenities at the airport.
As a result, the 2025 AFCON qualifier match against Libya was abandoned, and the Confederation of African Football Disciplinary Committee later awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory due to Libya’s regulatory violations.
3. Nigeria Defeated by Ivory Coast in AFCON Final
In a closely contested AFCON final, Nigeria faced Ivory Coast but fell short, losing 2-1 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan. Despite an early goal from William Troost-Ekong, Ivory Coast made a strong comeback, with key players scoring to secure the win. This victory allowed Ivory Coast to match Nigeria’s record of three AFCON titles.
4. Finidi George Resigns as Coach
Finidi George resigned as coach of the Super Eagles in June, citing concerns about insufficient support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
His tenure included a notable draw against South Africa but was marred by frustrations due to a lack of backing. His departure paved the way for interim coach Austin Eguavoen, with growing calls for his permanent appointment to bring stability to the coaching staff.
5. Osimhen’s Transfer to Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga became a major topic of discussion as he completed a season-long loan move from Napoli to Turkish giants Galatasaray, with an option to break the loan. The move made Osimhen the sixth Nigerian to join the club, following a summer filled with interest from several top European teams.
6. Osimhen and Finidi George’s Public Dispute
A public feud erupted between Victor Osimhen and former coach Finidi George after Osimhen withdrew from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury. Finidi’s comments about Osimhen’s commitment prompted a strong rebuttal from the striker, who clarified that he had informed the coach about his condition beforehand.
7. Anthony Joshua’s Knockout Setback
In a highly anticipated bout at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua faced Daniel Dubois in a fight that could have reshaped his career. However, Joshua’s attempt to reclaim his place among heavyweight boxing’s elite was crushed as he suffered a brutal knockout loss.
Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, dominated the match, knocking Joshua down twice and finishing the fight with a decisive blow in the fifth round. This defeat, Joshua’s second career knockout, casts doubt on his future prospects and raises questions about his ability to reclaim a world title.
