The year 2023 was a transformative year for the Nigerian sports industry. It was filled with exciting highs and unacceptable lows across the different sporting disciplines. Athletes in sports such as football, basketball, athletics, and boxing experienced both triumph and heartbreak in the global arena. This article looks at the notable sports moments in 2023 and what fans can expect in 2024. Let’s dig in!
Football: World Cup Absence
Missing out on the Qatar World Cup in 2023 was a sore moment for Nigerian sports fans. The Super Eagles were unconvincing under manager Jose Peseiro after drawing matches against teams considered weaker than Nigeria, such as Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. As it happens in football globally, there was pressure from Nigerians for a leadership change.
However, in September 2023, NFF extended Peseiro’s contract after the manager agreed to a significant wage reduction. He led the team to an AFCON qualification, where they’ve reached the competition’s quarter finals and will battle Angola for a spot in the semifinals. Football betting fans, including those on bet Malawi, will find this match interesting to wager on. Nonetheless, a good performance at the tournament is what the fans need after missing out on the World Cup.
Athletics: Peaks and Troughs
Nigerian athletics in 2023 was on a journey marked with highs and lows. Some encouraging events include a breakout season for sprinter Favour Ofili. She claimed sprint doubles at the African Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Furthermore, Ofili was named the Female Athlete of the Championship at the 2019 African U18 event after triumphing in the 200 and 400m events. In February 2023, she showcased her extraordinary talent at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She qualified for the final in the women’s 60m event, registering a new personal best of 7.14 seconds. In the 200m race, she recorded a personal best of 22.11s.
On the other hand, Amusan, a former hurdler and World Record holder, retained her Diamond League title. It was an impressive comeback after fighting issues regarding violations of WADA’s Athletic Integrity Unit.
However, Nigeria’s sports reputation was negatively impacted when Divine Onduru was banned for four years for doping violations. The case was linked to Blessing Okagbare, who remains sanctioned after receiving an 11-year suspension for several breaches.
Boxing: New Generation Emerging
A new generation of boxers, such as Ridwan Oyekola, AKA Scorpion, seized their opportunity for glory. The Scorpion registered his first-round knockout in boxing in January against Thailand’s Manat Sopatip. Several events pointed to the fact that Nigerian boxing was in its rebuilding phase. The perfect blend of veterans like Anthony Joshua, Olanrewaju Durodola, and newbies paints a promising picture for the sport.
Basketball: The D’Tigress Win Fourth Title
Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team created history by winning their fourth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title. MVP Amy Okonkwo spearheaded their top performances. She put in a dominant double-double performance that cemented Nigeria’s place in African basketball.
Sports Governance: There’s Room for Improvement
The year also laid bare Nigeria’s sports governance shortfalls. For example, the nation’s football and athletics federations experienced unnecessary leadership wrangles and factional infighting. Additionally, former sports heroes are still wallowing in financial distress and insufficient welfare provisions. On a positive note, corporate sponsorship grew steadily, showing the viability and commercial appeal in the country.
Future Expectations
Everyone in Nigeria wants the Super Eagles to clinch the AFCON Championship to set the right tone for 2024 sports. The tournament has had many surprises, and even betting fans on Betway will find it hard to predict the teams that will make it to the next phase of the competition. What are your expectations for Nigerian sports in 2024?
