Nigerian football has witnessed mixed fortunes in the past 365 days, with expectedly some high points and low points.
It can be said that despite the downs, there are also impressive achievements in Nigerian football in the past year and some have been detailedly and carefully chronicled in this article.
This article intends to deliver to you the top five achievements in Nigerian football in the last 365 days, as the most populous nation in Africa clocks 64 on October 1, 2024.
October 1st in Nigeria is celebrated as Independence Day, as the country was granted full autonomy from Great Britain on this day in 1960.
The country received its Freedom Charter, on October 1, 1960, from Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Queen’s representative at the Nigerian independence ceremonies.
The Top Five Achievements In Nigerian Football In The Last 365 Days
5) Edo Queens Claim WAFU B title and Earn CAF Women’s Champions League berth
The female football club based in Edo state, Nigeria, made the country proud by defeating Ainonvi FC of Benin Republic to emerge victorious in the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
The victory not only crowned the Edo Ladies as regional champions but also guaranteed them a spot in the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League. The date for the tournament is unknown at the time of writing.
The host country for the final stage of the edition will be appointed during the General Assembly to be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 10, 2024.
4) Super Falcons Qualification For Olympics For The First Time In Nearly Two Decades Amongst Impressive Feats In Nigerian Football In The Past 365 Days
The women’s national team of Nigeria made it to the football event at the 2024 Summer Olympics for the first time in 16 years, following a 1-0 two-legged aggregate win over rivals South Africa.
Despite their poor outing at the tournament where they lost all their group games (0-1 Brazil, 1-0 Spain, 3-1 Japan), qualifying for the showpiece brought much joy to Nigerians.
Before their appearance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, the Women’s national team of Nigeria last featured in the competition at the 2008 Beijing Games, where they were dumped out in the group phase.
3) Ademola Lookman (Hat-trick In UEFA Europa League Final)
The Nigeria international, who plays for Atalanta, was in his element on May 22, 2024, as he inspired his club to win the UEFA Europa League.
Lookman scored a hat-trick in the final as the Bergamo-based club submerged Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 at the Dublin Arena in the Republic of Ireland.
Ademola Lookman’s brilliance in the final resulted in him becoming the first-ever African player to score a hat-trick in a European final.
He also became the first player to score a hat-trick in the final of the second-tier continental European club competition since it was renamed to the UEFA Europa League from the UEFA Cup in the 2009/10 season.
Additionally, Ademola Lookman is only the second player after Jupp Heynckes in 1975 to score three times in a Europa League/UEFA Cup final.
2) Victor Osimhen And Asisat Oshoala were Named CAF Men And Women’s Footballer of the Year Awards, respectively, in 2023.
Osimhen claimed the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in 2023, following his stellar display for Italian side Napoli, helping them win the Seria A title for the first time in 36 years.
Victor Osimhen delineated his brilliance all through 2023 for the Neapolitans, scoring important goals and playing an instrumental role in the success of his side.
Meanwhile, Asisat Oshoala was also breathtaking for erstwhile club Barcelona in 2023, and that was crucial to her winning the Africa Women’s Footballer of the Year prize.
Oshoala secured the Primera División, UEFA Women’s Champions League, and Supercopa de España Femenina with the Catalan-based club in 2023.
The female football icon also represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, assisting the country to the last 16, before they lost on penalties to England.
Asisat Oshoala’s goal against Australia in their second group game at the Mundial also saw her become the first African player to net goals at three FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
1) Nigeria Secure Silver At The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Not many Nigerians predicted the Super Eagles to reach the final, as their performance before the tournament left much to be desired.
Surprisingly, the determination, never-say-die and fighting spirit associated with the West African nation became evident at the tournament, as they sailed to the defining stage.
Ultimately, they couldn’t claim the honor, but to the assessment of many Nigerian footballing enthusiasts, they had performed beyond expectations and should rightly be commended.
They started the final against host nation Ivory Coast on a good note, as defender William Troost-Ekong put the Super Eagles ahead in the 38th minute.
Unfortunately, second-half goals from Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller in the 62nd and 81st minute turned the game on its head, with Nigeria failing to claim the title.
Irrespective of the outcome, many Nigerians were pleased with the side tutored by Jose Peseiro and they were indeed proud of their display.
These are the top five achievements in Nigerian Football in the last 365 days and we are hoping that the country reach immense heights in the foreseeable future.
