Sports
Sports @ 59: Still Searching For The Wand
At a time like this when stocks are taken to see how far the country has gone, particularly, in sports, it is pertinent to once more go through history to highlight some of the milestones attained in effort to rub shoulders with the sporting society of the world.
Nigeria no doubt is a force to reckon with in the sport industry across the globe since it began to participate in sporting events in the world. Moreover, sports has come to be seen as one of unifying factors that also provide an avenue for the youth to explore and express their talents. Young people also use the platform provided by the sector to let out steam and escape some of the frustrations current realities in the country throw at them.
Indeed, there is no doubt that Nigeria is one of the biggest countries to beat when it comes to sports competitions in Africa and the world at large.
Apparently, the country is popular across the globe for her exploits in football, more than any other field. However, the country has also made indelible marks in other field of sports such as athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, basketball, boxing among others in the years gone by.
But apart from football and perhaps, wrestling, basketball and the sprints, Nigeria has failed to sustain the early promise it had held in the years after independence.
After making marks in the continent, Nigeria caught the attention of the football world at the 1994 world cup when the impressive Dutch–Gerian, Clemens Westerhoff led the equally impressive Super Eagles to dazzle the world in the United States in a debut appearance at the Mundial.
That exploit saw them become the first African team to be ranked fifth on the FIFA rankings. With many observers thinking that the achievement was a fluke, the country went ahead to astound the world with gold medal winning performance two years later at the football event of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, beating the almighty Brazil and Argentina on the way.
It is also on record that Nigeria is the first African country to win a trio of Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals at the Atlanta 1996, Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Games.
Nigeria’s cadet team, the Golden Eaglets have equally dominated the U-17 football, both in Africa and the world. Today, the Golden Eaglets have conquered Africa several times and won the Under-17 World Cup five times, 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015 to become the most successful team in the history of the FIFA cadet competition.
Also, in football, Nigeria is the first African country to win eight African Women’s Champions. However, despite being the biggest women’s football team in the continent, the Super Falcons, as the women’s national team is known, have not been able to extend their dominance to the world stage. They are however the first African Women’s team to have reached the quarter finals stage of the women’s World Cup when in 1999, they were able to reach the final eight stage.
Apart from football, Nigeria has had commendable performances in most of the events they have participated in within Africa and the world. These performances have also thrown up several talents from the country who have achieved continental and global accolades and recognition for selves and country.
In professional boxing, Nigerian names like Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey, Dick Tiger, Bash Ali, Peter Konyegwachie, Duncan and Dokiwari and others ring a bell.
It is however worrisome that the exploits of the years past are not being replicated on consistent basis in the country.
That a country of over 180 million people has failed to produce and replace the Ndubuisi Odizors in tennis, Mary Onyalis, Innocent Egbunikes, Chidi Imos, the Ezinwa brothers, Falilat Ogunkoyas, Beatrice Utondus, Chioma Ajunwas and many others that made the country a fearsome name in athletics in the years past is an indication that the country is not getting it right.
Unfortunately, the malaise is not only in athletics, from boxing to weightlifting, table tennis, field events, swimming, handball, hockey among others, the story has been the same.
There is no doubt that sports is a major unifying factor amongst Nigerians. But despite the massive talents that abound in the country and the palpable love of people for sports, it is quite unfortunate that the industry is still very much under-developed. Perhaps, this is the reason Nigeria only records successes in international competitions once in a while, rather than replicating it on a constant basis.
According to the President of Sportswriters Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Honour Sirawoo, sports development around the world is hinged on a number of factors, which include; sports management and administration, facilities and equipment, sports personnel, funding/sponsorship, Institutional sports development, athletes/competitions and promotions.
Unfortunately, he said, that there seems to be no encompassing National Sports Policy or clear cut policies within sports federations, state and local government levels to address the improvement of the above listed factors.
Interestingly however, through the efforts of some sports technocrats, passion and sacrifices of some athletes and the commitment of some state governments, the country is beginning to experience some measure of revival in some sports.
Also, some infrastructure geared towards identifying and weaning latent talents are beginning to be established, even if it is sparingly.
Of particular mention is wrestling where the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali is making waves with a new generation of Nigerian wrestlers, particularly, women. The sport has been able to attract laurels and recognitions for Nigeria at world, commonwealth and continental stages. In fact, wrestling currently boasts the potential to compete with football for the attention of Nigerians if the federation continues on its current path.
Basketball is another sport on the upward swing. D’Tigers, Nigeria’s male basketball team and their female counterparts, D’Tigers have done the country proud in recent time. Only this year, both succeeded in dominating Africa, putting p decent performances at World championships and qualify for the 2020 Japan Olympics.
As Nigeria keeps struggling to rediscover her mojo in athletics, athletes like Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, Ese Brume, Tobi Amusan and a few others have continued to fly Nigeria’s flag on the tracks.
It is worthy to note that the country seems to be producing impressive horde of football talents again. Just as in the days of late Stephen Keshi at Anderlecht, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Celestine Babayaro etc, when Nigerians were ever present in top European clubs, there are many players of Nigerian descent making waves across Europe again. This is currently rubbing off on the National team, the Super Eagles, as coach Gernot Rohr seems spoilt for choice of players for the team.
On infrastructure development, the recently inaugurated Real Madrid Football Academy, built by Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration in Rivers State is an excellent model to copy and replicate across the country, not only for football but other sports.
In a few years, the impressive facilities and management available at the academy are expected to produce footballers of international quality that would not only strengthen the national teams, but fit seamlessly into international club sides.
To ensure that these promises being seen on the horizon are made manifest tomorrow, sports administrators and relevant authorities must sit up and ensure that deliberate efforts are made to effect world best practices in all ramifications.
If this is continued to be taken for granted or administrators choose to pay attention to personal interests and lip service to developmental policies, maintenance of facilities and athletes, the search for consistency and the magic wand would continue to elude the country.
Nigeria’s Falconets secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Senegal in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, but the result was overshadowed by a serious injury to star forward Janet Akekoromowei, Tidesports source reports.
The first half was goalless but intense, with Nigeria carving out the clearer chances. The Falconets’ best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when Shakirat Moshood surged in from the right flank, skipped past two Senegal defenders and fired narrowly wide.
A minute later, Moshood turned provider, slipping the ball to Akekoromowei inside the six-yard box, but the forward also failed to hit the target.
The defining moment of the match arrived in the 38th minute. Akekoromowei embarked on a solo run, dribbling through the same channel she had exploited moments earlier before releasing a pass to Moshood.
As play continued, Akekoromowei went down in visible pain. Moshood, bearing down on goal, crossed into the area but Senegal’s packed defence managed to clear.
It soon became apparent that Akekoromowei had suffered a dislocated ankle. Medics rushed onto the pitch, and she was stretchered off, prompting gasps and anxious scenes among players and supporters close to the touchline.
She was immediately placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital, with Folajomi Olabiyi introduced as her replacement.
Nigeria went into the break at 0–0, their momentum disrupted and the mood visibly subdued following the injury to one of their most influential players. Despite the setback, the Falconets regrouped after the interval and went on to edge the tie, keeping their World Cup qualification hopes firmly alive.
The Falconets regrouped after the break and finally broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart. From a well-delivered corner kick, Kindness Ifeanyi rose highest to power a header beyond Adji Ndiaye, giving Nigeria the lead. The goalscorer nearly doubled the advantage in the 66th minute, but the Senegal goalkeeper stretched full length to push her effort away.
Nigeria maintained their pressure as Senegal struggled to cope with the high tempo. A dangerous free kick from the edge of the box sailed just over the crossbar, while Moshood was again denied from close range in the 73rd minute. Three minutes later, Adeshina struck the crossbar directly from a corner kick on the right as the Falconets pressed for a second goal.
Despite their dominance, Nigeria had to settle for the lone goal, which they successfully protected until the final whistle.
Akekoromowei’s injury was keenly felt by her teammates. Captain Joy Igbokwe admitted the incident shook the side but praised their resolve.
“Yes, we missed her because she is one of our key players, and when the injury occurred, we almost fell apart, but our coach encouraged us that we just had to continue no matter what,” Igbokwe said after the match.
“We miss her so much, and I am using this medium to wish her a speedy recovery.”
Head coach Moses Aduku said an update on the forward’s condition would follow once further assessments had been carried out.
“For Janet, there is no information yet because we just finished the game,” Aduku said. “When we get back to the hotel, I think we will get the information.”
Akekoromowei’s absence would be a major blow for the Falconets. The Bayelsa Queens forward is the reigning Nigeria Women Football League most valuable player and one of the brightest prospects in Nigerian women’s football.
She has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Barcelona, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain, and has been central to Nigeria’s qualification campaign, having already scored in the earlier rounds against Rwanda.
At just 18, Akekoromowei has enjoyed a rapid rise, starring for Nasarawa Amazons last season before moving to Bayelsa Queens, and gaining experience at the previous U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Nigeria will now await news on her recovery as they balance the satisfaction of victory with concern over the fitness of one of their most prized assets, as the two sides will meet again in Dakar on Saturday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series.
Preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have entered full delivery phase, with venue works and operational readiness advancing as the Games year begins.
The update was presented to the 145th International Olympic Committee Session by Dakar 2026 Organising Committee President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye and General Coordinator Ibrahima Wade.
Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange highlighted the great progress and tangible momentum towards the Games while noting that priorities would be monitored and systematically addressed.
Venue renovations are designed to support long-term access for young athletes, while the Youth Olympic Village will subsequently be turned into student accommodation.
“We are now in Games year, with exactly 270 days to go until the Opening Ceremony,” Ndiaye told IOC members, stressing that preparations are underpinned by strengthened governance and close-monitoring framework established with the IOC and Games delivery partners.
Wade expressed confidence in meeting deadlines, saying the Olympic Village, track and field stadium, and swimming facility will be ready by March, with venuisation set for May.
“The excitement is there for the continent. I think it’s monumental that the Games are coming to Africa for the first time,” Kayange said.
He noted that government support increased significantly at the end of last year, with different ministries coming together to ensure work is monitored on a weekly basis towards completion.
Public engagement continues to build through milestone celebrations, including the One-Year-To-Go festivities and the fourth edition of the Dakar en Jeux festival.
The Dakar 2026 OMEGA countdown clock now provides a daily reminder in the heart of the capital.
Through the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, nearly 200 of the 400 available places are currently filled, with participants from 25 African National Olympic Committees set to join the organising committee.
The Jambaar26 volunteer programme, launched in December, aims to mobilise 6,000 volunteers across Senegal.
“Beyond the sports venues and accommodation, the legacy of Dakar 2026 will be formidable, trained young human capital across Africa,” Kayange said.
The arrival of the Olympic flame in September will be marked by a nationwide tour across all 14 regions of Senegal and local celebrations across the continent.
Dakar 2026 will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The hosts began brightly and should have taken an early lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Musa Sudes fired wide in the fifth minute before Udom Emmanuel also missed the target moments later as Insurance pressed with intent. Enyimba survived another scare in the 17th minute when a well-taken free kick was kept out by a resolute defensive wall.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute when Oweilayefa Alex finished confidently to put Insurance ahead, a goal that reflected their early dominance.
Enyimba struggled to respond, with the home side maintaining control of possession and tempo. Emmanuel Akpan was forced off through injury in the 38th minute and replaced by Chikatara Chisom, but the change did little to disrupt Insurance’s rhythm.
Chinedu Nwosu went close to extending the lead in the 41st minute, remaining composed as he dictated play in midfield, and Insurance went into the interval one goal to the good after four minutes of added time.
Insurance made a double change at the start of the second half, introducing Efe Ubiomo and Nnamdi Anthony for Musa Sudes and Henry Oyian. Enyimba showed more urgency after the restart and came close to equalising in the 56th minute, but goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori produced a fine save to deny the visitors.
Any hopes of a comeback were effectively ended in the 79th minute when 16-year-old Efe Ubiomo marked his debut with a clinical goal to double Insurance’s advantage.
The home side continued to create chances, with Nwosu missing another opportunity late on, before Chikatara Chisom was replaced by Anyanwu Promise in stoppage time as Insurance saw out a comfortable win.
The result extends Enyimba’s miserable run in a season that began with title expectations.
The Peoples Elephants have now won just one of their last six matches and sit 12th in the table with 31 points from 25 games.
Their struggles on the pitch come amid ongoing turmoil off it, with the club reportedly under investigation over alleged misappropriation of funds and having recently appointed Cameroonian Emmanuel Deutsch as head coach, their fourth in two years.
By contrast, Insurance’s revival under Kennedy Boboye continues to gather momentum. Once flirting with relegation earlier in the campaign, they have climbed to sixth place on 37 points and are now firmly in the hunt for a continental place, with this emphatic win underlining their return to form.
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