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, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.