Joshua’s title defence, Nigeria NBA draft record — 8 major sports stories of 2020

Like a volcanic eruption, 2020 came rushing in pages, phases and batches. At first, all seem to be well in the global sports landscape. Excitement blossomed among sports lovers in anticipation of major sporting events including the Olympic games. 

Then, the coronavirus pandemic happened, halting sports activities across the globe. In spite of the pandemic, 2020 has been a memorable year for Nigerian sports lovers with several incredible highlights to look back on.

TheCable takes a retrospective look at major sports moments that dominated headlines during the outgoing year.

Eight ‘Nigerians’ made 2020 NBA draft history

Nigeria’s heroics at the 2020 NBA draft will undoubtedly dominate discussions for decades to come. It showed class at the contest with a record eight players of the West African nation’s descent selected by the National Basketball Association (NBA) teams.

Precious Achiuwa and Udoka Azubuike were both taken in the first round, marking the first time two players from Nigeria were taken in the first round of the same draft.

NBA teams also selected Isaac Okoro, Onyeka Okongwu, Zeke Nnaji, Desmond Bane, Daniel Oturu and Jordan Nwora. All of them have parents or a parent who is Nigerian, with the exception of Achiuwa and Azubuike, who were born in Nigeria.

Nigeria had Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Olowokandi as number one picks in first round drafts in 1984 and 1998 respectively.

Victor Osimhen – most expensive African player of all time

Victor Osimhen’s record transfer from Lille in France to Napoli in Italy exemplifies the Nigerian’s unprecedented rise to the international spotlight.

The deal, which remains a club record, was reported to be in the region of €70 million.

The gangling striker has since become a threat up front for Genaro Gattuso’s side, netting 2 goals and providing assists in a total of 8 matches.

Osimhen, however, suffered a little setback after he picked up a knock while on duty for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He is expected to be back in action early next year.

D’Tigers

D’Tigers, Nigeria’s senior basketball team, continued its impressive run in the continent and across the world.

The team retained its continental lead and ended 2020 at 22 on the world ranking table after winning all its games at the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Mike Brown-led team won their three matches against South Sudan, Rwanda and Mali in the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers.

Ighalo’s Manchester United move

Not many saw Odion Ighalo’s move to Manchester United on a loan from Shanghai Shenhua, a Chinese Super League side, coming until it became a reality.

The development makes the 2019 AFCON goal king the first Nigerian to play for the 20-time Premier League champions.

A longtime supporter of the Red Devils, the move surprised a lot of Nigerians and he duly justified the club’s decision with stellar performances and goals.

This informed the club’s decision to renew his loan deal for a year.

Enku Ekuta Madagascar Bronze show

Enku Ekuta, Nigeria’s sole representative at the 41st African senior judo championship in Madagascar, has etched her name on the hearts of many for her heroics.

The Nigerian’s win over Billet Sandrine of Cape Verde with an ippon to secure a bronze medal in the 63kg in Madagascar was symptomatic of her penchant to dominate the world.

The bronze medal added 360 IJF world ranking points to Ekuta’s tally, thereby enhancing her chances of securing enough points to qualify for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games in Japan.

Anthony Joshua’s WBA, IBF, WBO title defence

Unstoppable. This best describes Anthony Joshua, a British-Nigerian boxer, at the moment. Joshua ended the year 2020 in grand style by defending his heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev. He toppled the Bulgarian in the 9th round of an entertaining clash at SSE arena in Wembley.

The world heavyweight boxing champion floored Pulev heavily on three occasions, twice in the final round, and ended the fight with a vicious right hand to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles.

Ola Aina – EPL ‘goal king’

Ola Aina, Super Eagles defender, has continued to pull the strings in the English Premier League (EPL) for Fulham.

Aina won the Budweiser goal of the month in November for his ferocious strike for Fulham against West Bromwich Albion.

The feat makes the 21-year-old the first Nigerian to win the goal of the month award in England.

Nigeria’s UFC combo

For Israel Adesanya, Nigerian-born New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, the outgoing year is another indication that his best is yet to come.

Adesanya demonstrated this in September when he defended his middleweight title with a domineering and exceptional second-round stoppage of Paulo Costa at UFC 253 successfully.

The narrative is also the same for Kamaru Usman, Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, who has also made the headlines for his heroics in 2020.

In July, Usman defended his welterweight championship after recording a hard-earned but deserved victory over challenger Jorge Masvidal in UFC 251.