Connect with us

Sports

IWD: Seven Top Nigerian Women In Sports

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Amusan Nominated For 2023 Laureus Sports Award

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Amusan Sets New Record, Wins Diamond League Trophy

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Amusan, Brume Arrive Birmingham, Boost Team Nigeria Spirit

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Why We Lost Against Mali – Finidi George

Published

on

By

Super Eagles interim coach, Finidi George has provided insights into why his team lost to the Eagles of Mali in an international friendly match held in Marrakech, Morocco.

Super Eagles interim coach, Finidi George has provided insights into why his team lost to the Eagles of Mali in an international friendly match held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Super Eagles suffered a 2-0 loss to Mali on Tuesday, with Finidi attributing the defeat to costly errors made by his team.

The Enyimba gaffer rued the missed chances in the game, but applauded the boys for their dominant performance.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Nike Unveils Super Eagles 2024/25 Jersey

Advertisement

Finidi George said, “It was not a bad game. Good intensity. We created a couple of chances, but we could not score. And in games like this, if you don’t score, and make mistakes, you will be punished. Lost one. We were not outplayed.

“In the first game as well, we did so well. I would have loved a different result, but that’s not the case. If you look at the performance of the players, it is commendable.”

The Super Eagles will now shift their attention to the June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Continue Reading

Sports

Messi Reveals When He’ll Retire From Football

Published

on

By

Iconic Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, recently discussed retirement on the Big Time Podcast, shedding light on his future plans as he navigates the twilight of his career.

Since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi has contributed 16 goals and seven assists in 19 appearances across competitions.

However, the 36-year-old has also grappled with injury issues, leading to concerns about his longevity in the sport.

Reflecting on his retirement plans, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized his self-awareness, acknowledging that he evaluates his performances critically.

READ ALSO: Messi Hits 500 League Goals As Inter Miami Cruise Past Orlando

Advertisement

Messi expressed his readiness to step away from the game when he feels he can no longer perform at his best or derive enjoyment from playing, regardless of his age.

“I am very self critical of myself, I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I play well and when I play badly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age,” Messi said.

“I know that moment I feel I am no longer ready to perform, that I am no longer enjoying myself or helping my teammates.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Brazil’s Gabigol Handed Two-year Ban For Anti-doping ‘Fraud’

Published

on

By

Flamengo’s international forward Gabriel Barbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempted fraud during a doping test, a Brazilian sports court said.

Known as Gabigol, the 27-year-old Brazilian was alleged to have been uncooperative during a surprise doping test at club headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The punishment, which can be appealed, is backdated to April 8 last year, when the events occurred.

He failed to comply with the schedule, disrespected the doping officers and refused to obey instructions, local media said.

READ ALSO: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Stop Elections, Examinations On Saturday

Advertisement

“The aforementioned athlete was tried today by the Full Court of Sports Anti-Doping and, by majority, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of fraud had occurred,” the court said in a statement sent to AFP.

Gabigol subsequently hit back on social media, saying “I never tried to obstruct or defraud any test.”

I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court,” he added.

Flamengo said in a statement it would support its player and assist with his appeal “because there was no type of fraud”.

READ ALSO: Three Feared Killed In Delta Auto Crash

On the testing day, Gabigol’s teammates underwent testing in the morning while he ignored a request to be present and attended after lunchtime, according to the accusation.

Advertisement

When he finally arrived to be tested, he reportedly became upset because an officer escorted him to the bathroom.

Furthermore, he did not respect the sample collection protocol, according to the accusation.

A key figure in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, Gabigol has consistently denied having tried to cheat in the test.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Nigerian Lady Set To Drive From London To Lagos

“The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test has been carried out and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December, when the allegations first surfaced.

“In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate the protocol,” the lawyer added.

Advertisement

Gabigol had disappointing spells at Portugal’s Benfica as well as at Inter Milan in Italy having come through Santos’ academy, before joining Flamengo in 2019.

His return to form for Flamengo earned him call-ups to the Brazil squad and he made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.

Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending