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By Chisom Emmanuel
Nigeria was once recognised as the giant of Africa in sports. This glory was, however, short-lived in phases. It is on record that Nigeria is ahead of many African nations in football (the most celebrated game in the world) and our beloved nation is respected by other nations.
But that is fast becoming history as some of these countries have trampled upon our nation like sand in many outings, losing the respect Nigeria hitherto earned.
A few instances will suffice. Many will not forget Atlanta ’96 when the Super Eagles took the world by surprise by defeating the likes of Brazil and Argentina to clinch the football gold medal. It was an outing to remember for long as people shed tears of joy. Apparently, the world could not believe it.
One thing was clear, that day, Nigeria forever changed the state of African football. The question is, can such a feat still be achieved?
The Super Eagles’ current team was once seen as the future of football in Africa with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi making the nation proud in Europe. Nevertheless, national duties proved otherwise for these talents as the national team failed to perform well during the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers after they found it difficult to defeat the likes of Sierra Leone, Cape Verde Islands, and the Central African Republic (CAR). At a point, Nigeria played the qualifiers with laxity such that they gave up a 4-0 lead to draw the third match of the qualifying series against Sierra Leone in Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
The appointment of Austin Eguavoen just before the Africa Cup of Nations came with strings of hope as the Super Eagles completed the group stage with a 100 per cent record. But the same team that had Nigerians glued to their television sets with their group stage performance was humiliated by the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the first knockout match. It was clear that they were not prepared for the heat of the competition.
The Super Eagles had more than a month to prepare after the AFCON to regain their battered pride before facing the Black Stars of Ghana in March but it appeared they were prepared to disappoint the nation. Again, they failed to pick a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is the first time in 16 years. After losing the World Cup spot to Ghana, the fans went haywire and vented their anger by destroying the recently renovated M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Many fans were left in complete despair. The mere mention of Super Eagles was like a taboo to their ears. No doubt, their hope was shattered.
As if that was not enough, to fuel the disastrous fire that their male counterparts already started, the Super Falcons could not defend a title they have won 11 times after they lost to Morocco, the host nation of the Women AFCON on penalties in the semi-final last month.
Nigerians lost interest in supporting the nation during sporting competitions as no one wanted to experience disappointment. That could be understandable. But Team Nigeria came with a cry of hope in the just concluded Commonwealth Games by pulling off the nation’s greatest performance in the competition.
Team Nigeria amassed 12 gold, nine silver, and 14 bronze medals, making the just concluded Commonwealth Games the most productive in the nation’s history. This achievement surpassed the 1994 Commonwealth games in Victoria, Canada, 2010 in Delhi, India, and Glasgow 2014 in Scotland, where the country won 11 gold medals, respectively.
The majority of the Nigerian athletes who won gold medals in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, set world records and Commonwealth records that brought smiles back to the faces of Nigerian supporters as the nation’s anthem was played continuously with Nigeria’s colours flying high above many countries more often than before.
Much to the joy of Nigerians, the agility and pace of Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Grace Nwokocha and Rosemary Chukwuma at the Alexander Stadium got Nigeria its first gold medal in the 4x100m relay race, while their counterparts (males) clinched the bronze medal to win the nation’s first medal in the 4x100m in 40 years.
Another impressive performance that got tongues wagging was when Oluwafemiayo Folasade showcased uncommon strength by lifting a 155kg world record in power-lifting. Also, another grand representative of the nation, Chiemere Nwachukwu impressed the supporters when she broke the world record twice in the women’s F42-44 Discus throw event with throws of 34.84m and 36.56m, respectively, to win another coveted gold medal for the nation.
A stellar performance that personally wowed sports lovers was Amusan’s run of 12.30 seconds in the 100m hurdles that broke the Commonwealth record hence adding to the stock of gold medals the nation had accumulated at that point. Amusan’s record-breaking hurdle race in Birmingham saw her become the only Nigerian athlete to complete a clean sweep of titles at the World Athletics Championship in Oregon, Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and African Athletics Championship in Mauritius in June.
Adding to Nigeria’s blessings and rain of medals, Ese Brume became the first athlete in the event to hit the 7.00m mark, thus becoming the first African female athlete to clinch two World Championship medals in the long jump and a gold medal in the Commonwealth games.
Other gold medalists that made the nation proud were Odunayo Adekuoroye (third straight wrestling gold medal in the event) and Blessing Oborududu (second consecutive wrestling gold medal in the Commonwealth Games), Eucharia Iyiazi (F55-57 shotput gold medal).
Today, the fire is still burning hot as the Falconets of Nigeria refuelled it in the ongoing U-20 Women World Cup in Costa Rica after defeating South Korea to claim six points and a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The Falconets battled to a 1-0 victory over the Korea Republic in the early hours of Monday in Alajuela. Esther Onyenezide’s curling effort from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute proved to be the difference as the Falconets cruised to victory similarly as they did against one of the tournament’s favorites France in their group opener.
The tie between the South Koreans and Nigeria was a clash of titans as both teams came into the game with earlier wins against Canada and France, respectively. Though the two teams were tied on three points, the Korean girls sat on top of Group C with a better goal difference after defeating Canada 2-0, as opposed to the Falconets’ lone goal victory over France.
After qualifying for the quarterfinals, The Falconets did not relax as they rounded off their group stage campaign in style; beating Canada 3-1 at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto. With the win against Canada, the Falconets broke a record as they won all their group stage ties for the first time in the competition.
Our girls will be facing off Netherlands in the quarterfinal match on Sunday at Costa Rica and the supporters will be expecting them to repeat the same feat they achieved against Canada.
The nation is watching to see if the Falconets will go against all odds to win this year’s U-20 Women World Cup tournament after coming close twice but losing to Germany in both finals. We also hope that the Super Eagles will learn from their younger female siblings (Falconets) and do the nation proud.
