Sports

IWD: Seven Top Nigerian Women In Sports

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2023

The International Women’s Day is marked on February 8 of every year, to celebrate women’s contributions to society, and bring attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, violence and abuse against women, and to call for radical change in the treatment of women globally.

It is also a day set aside to commend the social, economic, cultural, and political impacts of women across the globe.

As the world marks this year’s edition of IWD, The PUNCH highlights seven outstanding Nigerian women in the world of sports:

1. Tobi Amusan

Tobi Amusan focuses on 100 metres as a track and field athlete.

In 2022, she became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in the World Athletics Championships when she won the 100 m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final, followed up by a wind-assisted 12.06 s in the final.

The record of the Ijebu Ode indigene became motivation and inspiration for many, while she received commendation across the globe for her brilliant performance.

2. Favour Ofili

Favour Ofili, a 20-year-old Nigerian athlete has represented the country in several local and international sports events.

She won her first individual medal after racing to silver in the final of women’s 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In the race, Ofili clocked a time of 22.51s, putting some daylight between her and Namibia’s Christine Mboma who was trailing with full speed, trying to close the gap on her African rival.

She is a Commonwealth games winner, All-African Games Silver medalist. She has also emerged top eight at World Championships.

3.Asisat Oshoala

Oshoala is a Nigerian female footballer who broke into limelight when she became the Most Valuable Player and top scorer in the 2014 Women’s U-20 World Cup, as Nigeria finished runners-up to Germany.

In 2015, Oshoala was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Oshoala plays for the Super Falcons of Nigeria and as a striker for FC Barcelona in Spain.

She is described as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time and one of the best in the world.

Oshoala has a record of winning African Women’s Footballer of the Year five times. 351

4. Mary Osijo

Mary Osijo is also one of the outstanding athletes Nigeria has produced.

Mary, a weightlifter competed in the 87 kg category and represented Nigeria at international competitions.

In August 2022, she won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Osijo clinched the Bronze medal in the Women’s 87 kg Weightlifting event, lifting a combined total weight of 225 kg from Snatch, Clean & Jerk.

Osijo had an unblemished series, lifting all attempts she made in both categories, and deservedly won the Bronze medal.

The 25-year-old represented Nigeria at the 2014 All African Games Trial and won gold. She also won a gold and two silver at the Edo State Sports Festival in 2020.

5. Chiamaka Nnadozie

Nnadozie is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Paris FC in the French Division 1 Féminine and the Nigeria national team.

At age 19, Nnadozie was named to the Super Falcons to compete at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

As Nigeria’s starting goalkeeper in the team’s 2–0 victory over Korea, Nnadozie became the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup.

Nnadozie was nominated for the 2021/2022 UNFP trophy of the best goalkeeper award in the D1 Arkema league.

6. Desire Oparanozie

Desire Oparanozie is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a forward in the Chinese Women’s Super League for Wuhan Jianghan University and the Nigerian national team with many years of experience.

The Super Falcons player is popular for her fast pace and strong physique that have propelled her to become a great striker.

She has been a regular member of the Nigerian national team since 2010, participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments of 2011, 2015, and 2019.

She has also participated in the African Women’s Championship of 2010 and 2014, 2016 and 2018, winning all four tournaments. She scored crucial goals in both the 2014 and 2016 finals.

7. Odunayo Adekuoroye

Adekuoroye is a Nigerian wrestler who competed in the women’s freestyle 53 kg event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where she won a gold medal.

She also won a bronze medal in the 2015 World Wrestling Championships.

The 28-year-old Ondo-born wrestler claimed her third successive Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She won the prestigious medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018.

PUNCH

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UCL: Why I Snubbed Move To Real Madrid – Saliba

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Arsenal defender, William Saliba, has revealed why he turned down a move to Real Madrid.

Saliba recently put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Gunners.

The Frenchman has now claimed he wants to win silverware with the Premier League side, before he can think of leaving the Emirates.

“Of course it’s really tempting when a club like that is interested in you.

“But I wanted to win titles at Arsenal first before thinking about anything else,” Saliba told Telefoot.

Saliba might get his wish this season, as Arsenal look well on course to end their two-decade wait for the league title.

Mikel Arteta’s men are six points clear at the top after 10 matches.

Sports

UCL Matchday 4: Liverpool Host Real Madrid, Bayern Face PSG, Other Fixtures

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League hits its halfway mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Matchday 4 arrives with drama scripted across Europe.

Eighteen games, countless storylines, and a stage where heroes, heartbreak, and history are never far apart.

From Anfield to Paris, Turin to Prague — the world’s greatest club competition enters its next act.

These preview details were obtained from the UCL website on Monday.

1. Liverpool vs Real Madrid

A rivalry defined by glory and grief — from Kyiv to Paris to Anfield’s famous nights.

Last season, the Reds finally broke their curse, a 2-0 victory ending an eight-game winless run against Los Blancos. Now, Jürgen Klopp’s men return to Anfield, chasing a 16th straight European home win — an Anfield fortress roaring under the lights.

Mohamed Salah stands on the brink of greatness: two goals from becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the Champions League. Across the pitch, a familiar face wears white now — Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser turned Galáctico, facing the Kop for the first time.

Madrid’s own prodigy, Jude Bellingham, could rewrite history too. At 22 years and 128 days, he’s set to become the youngest ever player to make 50 Champions League appearances — eclipsing Iker Casillas, the symbol of Madrid’s golden past.

It’s not just a match. It’s memory, emotion, and destiny colliding.

2. PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paris have lost just two of their last 41 home Champions League group stage games, and the Parc des Princes is again a fortress. But Bayern are serial conquerors, with 13 wins in their last 15 meetings against French opposition.

All eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, who’s lived every twist of this rivalry — scorer, provider, even villain. He faces his old Bundesliga tormentors with something to prove. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández meets his former teammates after switching red for blue.

At the other end, Harry Kane continues his European rampage — 11 goals in his last ten UCL appearances — while Joshua Kimmich eyes his 100th Champions League match for Bayern, joining legends Müller, Neuer, Lahm, and Kahn in elite company.

It’s a battle of old foes and new ambitions — with the scent of late drama thick in the Paris air.

3. Slavia Praha vs Arsenal

In Prague, memories of 2021 linger — when Arsenal crushed Slavia’s quarter-final dreams with a 4-0 rout.
Four years later, the Czech champions seek payback on home soil.

Slavia have found their scoring rhythm — goals in 26 of their last 27 European home games — but face an Arsenal side in imperious form. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten against Czech clubs, with seven straight UCL league-phase wins.

Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s group games — and the Brazilian’s fearless energy has made him Mikel Arteta’s symbol of this new Arsenal: vibrant, ruthless, relentless.

History favors the Gunners — but Slavia’s home spirit, under the lights of Eden Arena, makes this more than a formality. It’s redemption, reimagined.

4. Juventus vs Sporting CP
In Turin, it’s about legacy.

Juventus, chasing their 500th European Cup goal — the first Italian team to do so — meet Sporting CP, winless against Italian opposition since 2011.

The Bianconeri have stumbled on the continental stage lately — only two wins in their last 11 European games — and must rediscover their old ruthlessness. Sporting, ever daring, have scored in 19 straight group-stage matches, and will not come quietly.

For both sides, this isn’t just a fixture. It’s a test of belief.

Elsewhere Across Europe on Tuesday:

Tottenham vs Copenhagen
Napoli vs Frankfurt
Atlético Madrid vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Bodø/Glimt vs Monaco
Olympiacos vs PSV Eindhoven
PUNCH Online reports that the remaining games will take place on Wednesday.

Pafos vs Villarreal and Qarabağ vs Chelsea kick off early.
Ajax vs Galatasaray
Club Brugge vs Barcelona
Inter vs Kairat
Man City vs Dortmund
Newcastle vs Athletic Club
Marseille vs Atalanta
Benfica vs Leverkusen. Also reports that only five teams have maintained a perfect start winning all three games from the previous match days.

Sports

Okpebholo Bags SWAN Governor of the Year Award

Published

7 days ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

National Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has named the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the Distinguished Governor of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

The award will be formally presented to the governor on Friday, October 31, during SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.

Edo State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Kehinde Osagiede, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.

Osagiede said the visit was aimed at officially introducing the Edo SWAN Executive — which assumed office about a year ago — to the commissioner and to strengthen collaboration between the association and the state government.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo was carefully selected for this honour because of his remarkable contributions to sports development in Nigeria within his first year in office.

“We also came to congratulate you, Mr. Commissioner, on your well-deserved appointment, and to inform you, as the spokesperson of the state government, about the forthcoming award to the governor,” he said.

He further assured that the Edo SWAN chapter would continue to collaborate with the state government to promote sports development across the state.

In his response, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, thanked SWAN for the recognition accorded Governor Okpebholo and for its support towards sports promotion in Edo State.

Afegbua, who disclosed that the governor was currently on official duty in Ekiti State, promised to brief him about the honour.

He urged sports journalists in the state to give balanced and positive coverage to the activities of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Edo Queens, and other sporting programmes initiated by the state government.

“The Edo State Government will continue to partner with SWAN to advance sports development in the state,” the commissioner assured.