Video - Nigeria revels in successful carnival polo tournament

The nine-day Polo Fiesta in Abuja culminated in a spectacle of luxury and talent. National and international battle-ready players mounted thoroughbred polo ponies, competing for top honors.

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Top NFL Players Who Hail from Nigeria

Nigerians have been leaving an indelible mark on the global sports stage for many years. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that numerous Nigerian athletes have become integral parts of football, basketball, and tennis teams in international clubs and leagues.

American football is no exception, and the National Football League (NFL) consistently welcomes Nigerian players into the beloved sport of the United States.

Let's delve into the achievements of some noteworthy Nigerian players in the NFL.
 

James Ihedigbo

James Ihedigbo was a football safety for the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills from 2008 to 2016. He was born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to the United States.


Prior to joining the NFL, he had an impressive football career at the University of Massachusetts. According to Ihedigbo, his love for the sport started when he was just six years old. Although he dabbled in soccer, he found American football to be far more enjoyable.
 

Ositadimma "Osi" Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora is a former defensive end for the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, and no Nigerian NFL player list would be complete without him. Although born in London, Umenyiora spent a significant portion of his early life in Nigeria before moving to Alabama at the age of 14.


He played football at Auburn High School and later for the Troy State Trojans in college. In the NFL, Umenyiora secured two Super Bowl victories and broke a record for fumbles. Post-retirement, he initiated efforts to facilitate more Nigerians' direct entry into the NFL.
 

Kenneth Odumegwu

Odumegwu's football journey jump-started with the help of Osi Umenyiora, who encouraged him to make the move from Nigeria to the U.S. to join the NFL at the age of 22. As part of Umenyiora’s program, The Uprise, designed to give African athletes opportunities to be drafted by major NFL teams, Odumegwu signed with the Green Bay Packers as a defensive lineman in 2023.


Prior to that, he spent time as a soccer player, and then a basketball player when he was told his height would make him useful in that sport. However, he is now known as the first player from the International Player Pathway program to ever join the Packers.
 

Amobi Okoye

Nigerian-born Amobi Okoye is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, and he was first picked by the Houston Texans in 2007 at the age of 19. After playing with the Texans, he went on to play with the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through 2012.


However, in March of 2013, he suffered a seizure due to anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a relatively new disease that affects the areas of the brain that control memories and judgments. Since his diagnosis, Okoye has retired from the NFL and made a full recovery for his health.
 

Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi

Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi didn’t start playing American football until he was 18 years old, while he was still living in Nigeria. He claims to have started playing after just watching a YouTube video of the sport.


In 2023, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a defensive lineman. Before his draft, Ndubuisi was an offensive lineman who competed in the Cardinals’ training camp.
 

Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick

Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick is an offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, working alongside players like Patrick Mahomes and Prince Tega Wanogho. After being drafted in 2023 at the age of 22, he joined the Chiefs’ training camp with little knowledge of the sport.


Like other fresh international players, he was a basketball player back home in Nigeria.
 

Summary

Nigerian players have undeniably altered the landscape of the NFL, contributing to Super Bowl victories and setting numerous records. Both retired and current players continue to showcase their athletic prowess, serving as inspirations for future generations of Nigerians venturing into American football.

Related story: NFL player-turned doctor starting medical practice in Nigeria

Video - Nigerians named CAF Men's and Women's African Players of the Year

Victor Osimhen’s goals helped Napoli win the Italian Serie A last season. The 24-year-old scored 31 goals in all competitions during the season and ended the club's 33-year wait for a Scudetto. Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala took the Women's Player of the Year award for a record-extending sixth time.

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Related story: Victor Osimhen named African football player of the year

 

Victor Osimhen named African football player of the year

Napoli’s Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen was named men’s African player of the year on Monday during a ceremony organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who led Napoli to win the Italian League title last season, beat Paris Saint-Germain’s Morocco right-back, Achraf Hakimi and Liverpool’s Egypt winger, Mohamed Salah, to win the top award.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Osimhen said.

“I appreciate Nigerians for their support. I appreciate Africa for putting me on the map, encouraging me, and defending me, regardless of my shortcomings,” the 24-year-old added.

Osimhen excelled last season for Napoli, after scoring 31 goals in all competitions and contributing to them winning the Italian League title after a drought that lasted 33 years.

Napoli estimate Osimhen’s market value at approximately 200 million euros ($215 million).

Osimhen was spotted by European scouts at the 2015 edition of the under-17 World Cup in Chile and joined German outfit Wolfsburg.

He was loaned to Charleroi and later joined the Belgian club permanently. His next move was to French side Lille in 2019, where he scored 13 goals in 27 appearances.

Napoli signed him one year later for 70 million euros ($75 million), but he contracted Covid-19 during a visit to Nigeria and later suffered a head injury and a fractured skull and eye socket.

Those injuries led Osimhen to wear a protective mask and sections of the media called him the « masked assassin ».

He missed the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon due to the injuries, and Nigeria suffered a shock last-16 loss to Tunisia.
Injury prone

Osimhen was the leading scorer with 10 goals in qualifying for the 2024 Cup of Nations, which the Ivory Coast will host from January 13.

His total included four in a 10-0 rout of Sao Tome e Principe – a record winning margin for a qualifier in the competition.

Injury-prone Osimhen was sidelined again two months ago after suffering a hamstring injury in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia.

The regular absences of the Nigerian angered Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who reacted by saying he would sign no more Africans unless they agreed to skip the Cup of Nations.

Morocco last year became the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, his teammates and coach Walid Regragui were honoured in Marrakesh.

Bounou was named goalkeeper of the year, Regragui coach of the year and Morocco the national team of the year.

Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala completed a Nigerian double by winning the African Women’s player of the year for a record-extending sixth time.

Born in Ikorodu, north-east of commercial capital Lagos, her previous successes came in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

After playing for Nigerian clubs Robo and Rivers Angels, she had spells with Liverpool, Arsenal and Dalian Quanjian before an initial loan move to Barcelona became permanent four years ago.

Oshoala scored in a win over co-hosts Australia that helped Nigeria reach the 2023 Women’s World Cup round of 16, where they lost to England on penalties.

AFP

Video - Nigeria faces sanctions for failing to comply with WADA Code

Nigeria has until December 8 to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code or risk having its athletes disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics and other global sporting competitions. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says the country's Anti-Doping Organization will also not receive any funding unless the country complies.

CGTN

Video - Canoe and para canoe 2024 Olympic qualifiers underway in Nigeria

The inaugural Confederation of Africa Canoe Sprint and Para Canoe qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic games in Paris begun in Nigeria. Nearly 15 nations are competing for Olympic berths, with the International Canoe Federation hailing the continent for the enthusiastic turnout.

CGTN

Video - Lackluster Nigeria held by Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifiers

 

Nigeria continued their stumbling start to the African 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe, but there were wins for Egypt and Algeria as the continent's top sides flexed their muscles.

Nigeria could only manage a point in neutral Butare, Rwanda after starting their bid to reach the global finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada with a desperately disappointing 1-1 draw at home to lowly Lesotho on Thursday.

The Super Eagles have therefore taken two points from their opening two games in the six-team Group C, with only the top side in each pool assured of one of Africa’s nine automatic qualification places.

South Africa could open up an early four-point lead in Group C when they visit Rwanda on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe took the lead midway through the first half via Walter Musona, but Nigeria salvaged a draw when Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the second half.

Zimbabwe are among the 19 African countries forced to move their home qualifiers to neutral venues because of poor facilities or security concerns.

Trezeguet scored a brace of goals as Egypt cruised to a 2-0 win over nine-man Sierra Leone in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, making it a full haul of six points for The Pharaohs in their opening two qualifiers.

The Leone Stars lost Tyrese Fornah to a first-half red card and never looked able to challenge Egypt after that as Mohamed Salah, who scored four goals against Djibouti on Thursday, completed another 90 minutes and provided the assist for his side's second.

The hosts also had Abdul Kabia sent off for a second bookable offence, while before that there were ugly scenes as several local fans invaded the pitch and at least one was involved in a fracas with Salah before being forcefully removed.

Algeria made it two wins from two but had to wait until the 69th minute to get the opener in a 2-0 victory in Mozambique. Fares Chaibi handed them the lead and Ramiz Zerrouki made sure of the points in the final 10 minutes.

Gabon have also made a perfect start to their Group F campaign after claiming a 2-1 victory against Burundi in neutral Dar-es-Salaam.

Jim Allevinah and Denis Bouanga scored in either half, before Abedi Bigirimana set up a tense finish when he pulled a goal back for Burundi near the end.

An own goal from midfielder Charles Pickel 11 minutes from fulltime gave Sudan a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

By Nick Said, Reuters

Nigeria footballer Plumptre signs for Saudi Women's side Al-Ittihad

Nigeria defender Ashleigh Plumptre said she has joined Saudi Women's Premier League side Al-Ittihad following the expiry of her contract at Leicester City.

The 25-year-old centre back has 15 caps for Nigeria. She played for England at youth level before switching allegiance and making her Nigeria debut in 2022.

"Grateful to have signed for Al-Ittihad," Plumptre said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "Excited to start this journey alongside some incredible human beings.

"My journey of stepping into more of myself continues... It's more than football."

The Saudi women's top flight is gearing up for its second season, with eight teams vying for the title.

Saudi men's Pro League teams have been spending huge sums to attract some of the best players from European clubs, including Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Critics accuse Saudi Arabia of engaging in "sportwashing" in the face of heavy criticism of its human rights record and equality issues.

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced reforms allowing women greater control over their lives in recent years but men still retain a tight grip on power in the kingdom. 

By Pearl Josephine, Reuters

Related story: Video - Nigeria's women football star Oshoala trains girls at her academy

Video - Nigeria's women football star Oshoala trains girls at her academy

Nigeria's Super Falcons are just back from the FIFA Women's World Cup where they went out in the Round of 16 and star forward Asisat Oshoala who also plays for Barcelona has been using her break to meet and train with the girls at her football academy in Lagos.

Video - England vs. Nigeria Full Highlights - FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2023

 

Video - Nigeria face off against England in Round of 16 of the Women's World Cup

Nigeria's Super Falcons will take on the Lionesses of England for a place in the quarterfinals of the ongoing World Cup at the Brisbane stadium in Australia on Monday. The Falcons were the first African side to qualify for the Round of 16 after playing out a goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland.

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Video - Australia vs. Nigeria Highlights - FIFA Women's World Cup, 2023

 

TSN

Video - Nigeria hosts largest gathering of sports personalities

Nigeria hosted the largest gathering of the country's best sports personalities, including local and foreign-based Olympians at a summit to recognize heroes who have put the nation on the global map. At the core of the discussion was returning the country to its glory days. 

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Video - Canada vs. Nigeria Full Highlights - FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2023

 

TSN

Video - Super Falcons of Nigeria head to World Cup for the 9th time

Nigeria's Super Falcons will represent Africa at the Women's World Cup for the record ninth time with the 2023 edition is been co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Despite being to every Women's World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, the big question in Nigeria is whether the team can hit or exceed the heights of 1999 when it qualified for the quarter-finals.

CGTN

Video - 8-year-old Ivie Urieto spreads love for chess among the youth in Nigeria

Chess is a no-barrier game, and one Nigerian youngster is making her mark on the global stage.

CGTN

Related story: 12-year-old Nigerian chess prodigy and his family granted asylum by U.S.

 

Nigeria Football Federation lets fans decide coach’s future

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro's job is in the hands of the fans after football federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau said he will let them decide if the Portuguese should stay on.

Peseiro, who has coached Porto and Sporting in his home country and took over Nigeria in May last year, has led his side to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast starting in January but his contract ends on June 30.

There is now a national debate over whether the 63-year-old should be retained and Gusau said the people can decide.

"We have the plan to push the votes to Nigerians to hear their views and thoughts," Gusau said on the LovingFootball radio show.

"We've tried the foreign coaches and also the local coaches.

"Maybe we didn't get it right in the area of getting the right person. We are going to push it to the public, whether we should continue with Peseiro or he should go."

Despite Nigeria's continental qualification, results have been mixed under Peseiro even as he has been able to select from an array of players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues.

Since failing to qualify for last year's World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria have won four and lost five of their games.

By Nick Said, Reuters

Barcelona basketball team condemn racist abuse of Nigerian player

The Barcelona basketball team has condemned the racist abuse suffered by Nigerian player James Nnaji during their Spanish championship final victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid.

The incident on Tuesday comes as Spanish sport wrestles with the global outcry sparked by racism aimed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian football star Vinicius Jr. The 22-year-old Brazilian forward called out racist abuse in the Spanish football league in May, which he had been subjected to since moving to Spain five years ago.

On Wednesday, it was the turn of Spanish basketball.

“Barcelona strongly condemns the racist insults suffered by first-team basketball player James Nnaji before game three of the final,” the team said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The club expects a firm response from the ACB [Spanish basketball league] against any racial or verbal insults.”

Images of the arrival of the Barcelona team bus at the WiZink centre in Madrid, where Tuesday’s match took place, showed several Madrid fans hurling insults at the Barcelona players.

According to local media, Nnaji was the target of racist insults.

“I want to talk about what happened here with James Nnaji. I think it’s regrettable. I hear a lot about Vinicius, and now it’s us who have to talk about what’s going on,” Barcelona basketball coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said later.

“It has to stop now. It doesn’t fit, I guess, with the values of Real Madrid and its supporters, and we have to be very angry about that,” he said.

Nigeria’s online media outlet Pulse Sports said the 18-year-old Nnaji played for just eight minutes and 35 seconds in the final but had a “pivotal role” in his team’s win.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid in 93-82 on Tuesday after winning the first two games of the final for the club’s 20th Spanish league title. 

Al Jazeera

Video - Community in Lagos celebrates Osimhen's record season in Football

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen became the first African player to win the Italian Serie A Golden Boot after his 26 goals powered Napoli to the Scudetto. Osimhen is also the first player since 2009 to win the Italian Golden Boot and Scudetto in the same season. His record-breaking achievements sparked celebrations in one small community in Lagos. 

CGTN

Nigeria Football Federation admits not paying coaches for several months

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says delays in paying several of its national team coaches are "nothing to be proud of".

Some of the missing salary payments date back over a year and those affected include Jose Peseiro, head coach of the men's senior side, and Ladan Bosso who is currently leading the male Under-20 team at the World Cup in Argentina where they have reached the second round. It is understood Bosso has only received three months' salary in the past 15 months.

Meanwhile, with the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand less than two months away, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum is owed more than $100,000, including bonuses from last year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

Why do African teams threaten strike action?

"The NFF has been facing huge financial challenges and there is an ongoing effort to resolve all the issues relating to unpaid wages," Ademola Olajire, the NFF's director of communications, told BBC Sport Africa.

"It is unfortunately not something to be proud of and the new board of the federation is working hard to resolve the problems."

Ibrahim Gusau, who replaced former NFF president Amaju Pinnick in September, inherited some of the debts from his predecessor and has been appealing to players and officials for patience, meaning the coaches are yet to make an official complaint.

Gusau has made contact with sponsors in a bid to encourage them to settle long-standing debts but the federation, which receives part of its income from the government, also owes outstanding bonuses to players including members of both the senior men's and women's sides.

The most recent missing payments to Super Eagles players date back to 2021 while the Super Falcons squad boycotted training before their 2022 Wafcon third-place play-off against Zambia over the non-payment of both bonuses and allowances.

Likewise, members of the U20 squad, who face hosts Argentina in their last-16 tie on Wednesday, are also owed qualifying bonuses and tournament allowances.

One senior Super Eagle, who did not want to be named, said: "We understand the financial situation affecting the NFF.

"The new president recently spoke to the captain (Ahmed Musa) and other senior players about our outstanding bonuses.

"He has been speaking to some of the sponsors and sports ministry but we just hope that it will be sorted out as promised.

It is not the first time Nigeria coaches have seen their wages go unpaid.

The list of those impacted is lengthy and includes Augustine Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, Sunday Oliseh, Gernot Rohr, Florence Omagbemi and the late Stephen Keshi.

The NFF says it is working to settle the current arrears.

By Oluwashina Okeleji, BBC