Silver N
Nigeria has a rich history of competing in sports, and these are the famous females that make that competition so exciting. Some of the best Nigerian female athletes in the world are listed below, some of who have represented Nigeria in the Olympics.
Through sports, Women have been able to show that their passion and competitive edge and Nigerian sport women have produced in leaps and bounds.
Here is a list of the top 5 who have been exceptional in their various fields.
Asisat Oshoala
Oshoala is the new face of women football in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The 24-year-old broke into global spotlight in 2014, when she emerged Most Valuable Player and top scorer at that year’s Women’s U-20 World Cup, as Nigeria finished runners-up to Germany.
She again led the Super Falcons to a record eighth African Women Championship in Nambia few months later, winning the MVP award, as well ending in second place in the top scorers chart behind compatriot Desire Oparanozie.
Her success story continued, as she was crowned the African Women’s Player of the Year for 2014, before sealing a high-profile move from Rivers Angels to English side, Liverpool Ladies, last year. In 2015, Oshoala was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Oshoala was again the star scoring three goals as the Super Falcons reclaimed their title and qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be held in France.
Asisat was undisputedly the star player for the team that brought the continental trophy to Nigeria and is deservedly among the top sportswomen for 2018.
Odunayo Adekuoroye
The energetic wrestler won the 57 kg women’s wrestling freestyle event at the Africa Wrestling championship held in Port Harcourt Nigeria.
She also went to to win another Gold medal for Nigeria the on the international scene.
Wrestling may not be Nigeria’s ultimate sport, but Odunayo has played a significant role alongside the Nigerian Wrestling Federation president Daniel Igali in bringing it to general acceptance.
From wrestling, at international events, to participating at developments tournaments such as the Beat the street event in the United States.
Odunayo laid a marker in 2018 winning the wrestler of the year at the and is deserved inclusion in the sportswomen of the year.
Esther Oyema
Esther Oyema has once again made the best performance despite her disability and numerous challenges she has faced.
The Powerlifter made her best appearance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games where she won the gold medal.
She won a gold medal in the previous games in 2014 and set a world record lifting 126kg, she, however, broke that record in 2018 by lifting 131 kg.
Over the years, Oyema has been a consistent performer and whenever representing Nigeria always gives her all.
More should be done to encourage disabled athletes, but Oyema has played a pivotal role in bringing powerlifting to the consciousness of Nigerians and is a deserved inclusion in the list.
Nigerian Ice Blazers
Simidele Adeagbo made history as the first African or Black woman taking part in the Skeleton sport at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
While Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga, and Seun Adigun who also participated in the Bobsled event winter Olympic games.
Their exploits of flying the Nigerian flag at the international event is a breakthrough has brought a positive light to Nigerian sports.
Iniabasi Umotong
Ini-Abasi Anefiok Umotong (born 15 May 1994) is a British Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for FA WSL club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Nigeria national team.
She earned her first call up to the Super Falcons in February, 2015 when coach Edwin Okon invited 36 players to camp to prepare for the 11th All-Africa Games qualifiers, 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers and the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.She’s a first class graduate of Economics and Actuarial Science at the University of Southampton.
In January 2019 at the Four Nations Tournament in China, Umotong scored her first goal for the Super Falcons. She emerged from the substitute’s bench to register the final goal in a 4–1 win over Romania. “One of the stand-out moments of my career,” she said.
