Newscenter Media News The year 2024 was a spectacular one for Nigeria when it comes to sports. There were many highs and lows throughout the year, and in this report, Ripples Nigeria’s Ben Ugbana pens down key moments and events that shaped up the sporting sector.
Super Eagles reach Nations Cup final
The year started with some rejoicing as the Nigeria men’s national team won their way through to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
After defeating teams in the group stages, the Eagles, led by former boss Jose Peseiro, scaled through Cameroon in the round of 16, and won over Angola in the quarter-final before defeating South Africa on penalties in the semis to secure a spot in the final.
Expectations were however cut short after the Eagles fell against hosts Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the final of the tournament on February 11, 2024. But nevertheless, these moments brought some happiness to Nigerians at home and abroad.
Poor Olympic Games outing for Team Nigeria
Team Nigeria did not win a single medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Games began with a spectacular funfair, with Nigeria well-represented with our cultural beautiful attire.
Hopes and supports were high throughout the games but they were apparently not enough as the athletes failed to make a podium finish in all the events Nigeria participated in.
Favour Ofili finished 6th in the women’s 200-metre final, while Blessing Oborududu narrowly missed a bronze in the 68 kg freestyle wrestling category. In the long jump, Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor reached the finals but failed to secure a top-three finish. No success.
According to reports, the Federal Government allocated over N12 billion to ensure a successful Olympic outing but the performance marked the eighth time the country has failed to make the podium at the Summer Olympics.
Rena Wakama and D’Tigress wow the world of Basketball
Despite the Team Nigeria’s poor outing at this year’s Olympic Games, the country still had takeaways, with the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress showing class and making history at the Paris outing.
D’Tigress became the first African team (male or female) to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games. That history was made with a resounding victory over Canada (79-70).
The Nigerian ladies, captained by Ezinne Kalu, bounced off their campaign with a surprise win over Australia. The team lost to hosts France then defeated another heavyweight, Canada, before losing to world no.1 United States of America in the last eight.
Following the performance, Coach Rena Wakama was named Best Coach of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament at the Games. A truly remarkable feat for Nigeria.
Nigeria shines at Paris Paralympics
Nigeria’s Paralympic team delivered an impressive performance at the 2024 Paris Games, earning seven medals — two gold, three silver, and two bronze — cementing the country’s reputation as a global para-sport powerhouse.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo set a new world record with a 166 kg lift in para-powerlifting, while Isau Ogunkunle and Flora Ugwunwa added to the medal haul. Power-lifter Onyinyechi Mark won a GOLD medal, setting a stunning new world record in the process. Eniola Bolaji clinched the bronze medal in para-Badminton.
Beyond the Paralympics, Nigerian para-athletes excelled throughout the year. Lawal Opeyemi in para-athletics and Folashade Oluwaseun in wheelchair basketball broke records and achieved podium finishes at international events.
The Libya drama that traumatised Super Eagles contingent
The men’s national football team, the Super Eagles had a terrible experience in Libya as the team travelled for their matchday four 2025 AFCON qualifying encounter.
The Eagles had defeated Libya in their matchday three fixture in Uyo where the team secured a narrow victory with a lone goal at Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
They then travelled to Libya where the matchday four fixture was billed to hold only for the Nigerian contingent to be detained at the airport without food, water and internet.
The Nigerian squad endured over 14 hours of delays at the airport before being forced to return home as they withdrew from the game. CAF would later sanction Libya for the incident, awarding Nigeria a 3-0 victory despite boycotting the game.
Read Also: REVIEW: Five moments that shaped Nigerian sports in 2023
Lookman ranks 14th in Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or for the past two years has come with some additional delight for Nigerians in general, as the country has gotten nominations back to back.
In 2023, Victor Osimhen was nominated for the award, which is given to the best player in the world. And in 2024, another Nigerian, Ademola Lookman made the shortlist.
Lookman, who helped Nigeria to the AfCON final and his club Atalanta to win the Europa League after scoring three goals in the final, successfully ranked as the 14th best player in the world.
Govt dissolves Ministry of Sports & returns the Sports Commission
The Nigerian Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, dissolved the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, transferring the ministry’s functions to the National Sports Commission (NCS).
The move to dissolved the Sports Ministry was, according to the government, part of Tinubu’s strategy to create a vibrant sports economy by transferring the ministry’s functions to the commission.
Nigeria hosts Fencing World Cup
Many countries across the world came into Nigeria for the Fencing World Cup held in Lagos in December.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia dominated the tournament, with host nation being praised for successfully hosting the first Fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup took place at the Charterhouse Lagos, featuring 39 fencers from eight countries competing for medals and world rankings.
Nigeria shines at CAF Awards
In addition to the glits glamour at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards gala held in Morocco, Nigerians were very pleased to have clinched three major awards at the occasion.
Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman won the biggest prize of the night, beatinh Morocco and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi to the men’s Player of the Year award.
Also, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged as the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year after her heroics with Nigeria and Paris FC.
She was also on the shortlist for the Women’s Player of the Year award category but did not finish top as Zambia’s Barbara Banda clinched the award.
The Women’s National Team of the Year was also won by the Nigerian women team. The Super Falcons showed a great display at the Olympics.
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