Nigeria had a highly successful year in sports in 2023, despite a few setbacks in other areas of the nation’s life.
For example, Nigeria, the most successful nation in the competition, was not included in the 2023 under-17 World Cup.
Nigerian sports fans celebrated a number of accomplishments in the midst of this depressing scenario, some of which are listed below:
1. Nigeria Shines At CAF Awards: Earlier last month, in Morocco, Nigeria took home the 2023 CAF awards, which saw a winning streak. Nigerians took home the CAF player of the year honors for men (Victor Osimhen) and ladies (Asisat Oshoala) during the ceremony.
In addition, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the team’s goalie, won the women’s goalkeeper of the year award, while the Super Falcons were named the national team of the year.
2. Nigeria Easily Qualifies for Football Tournaments on a Continental Level
In contrast to the past, Nigerian fans no longer needed calculators to perform any permutations in order for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Falcons also easily advance to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2024.
3. Tobi Amusan had a glorious finale
Tobi Amusan’s track and field career was nearly ruined by a drug misuse controversy that struck her after she started the year with victories.
The former heavyweight champion of the IBF, WBA, and WBO defeated Otto Wallin to close out the year, as well as Jermaine Franklin on points and Robert Helenius by knockout.
6. Quadri Aruna keeps up his supremacy across the continent
Quadri Aruna, the top-ranked table tennis player in Africa, made history by successfully defending his ITTF Africa Senior Championships title. He defeated Ahmed Saleh of Egypt 4-0 (11-2, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6) in the men’s singles final played in Tunisia.
7. Nigeria Is Gaining Ground in Cricket
Nigeria had a successful year in cricket in 2023, particularly in Africa. Both the men’s and women’s senior national teams, the Female Yellow Greens, became victorious at the NCF T20i competition in Lagos. The women’s squad also took home the first West Africa Trophy with a 100 percent record in Lagos.
8. The Super Falcons captivated the globe.
The 2023 Women’s globe Cup, which Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting, saw the Super Falcons of Nigeria astound the entire globe.
Notwithstanding the scandal surrounding the non-payment of bonuses, the Super Falcons proceeded to defeat Australia, the co-host, and to draw with Canada and Northern Ireland, the current Olympic champions.
Regretfully, in the competition’s round of 16, England eliminated them from the tournament by penalties.