Nigeria celebrates its 63rd independence at present. Whereas many would have reservations about how far the nation has come since its independence, there have undoubtedly been optimistic moments.
In sports activities, Nigerian athletes have made their mark on the worldwide stage, breaking new floor each on the continent and on the world stage.
The 'I can do it' perspective of Nigerian athletes and groups has given Africa the idea to make their mark in world competitions.
Right here, Each day confidence highlights 10 vital sporting moments in post-independence Nigerian life:
1. 'Dick Tiger' gained a world title in 1962
Richard 'Dick Tiger' Ihetu was Nigeria's first world boxing champion when he gained the world middleweight title in 1962 by defeating Gene Fullmer after which gained the world gentle heavyweight title in 1966 by decisioning Jose Torres of Puerto Rico.
Tiger died of liver most cancers in 1971 on the age of 42 and was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in 1991.
His profession report was 61 wins, 17 losses and three attracts, with 26 knockouts. He was twice honored as Fighter of the Yr by the Boxing Writers Affiliation, in 1963 and 1966.
As a boxer, Tiger was admired for his warrior's willpower and quiet dignity.
2. Maiyegun gained Nigeria's first Olympic medal in 1964
Nojeem Maiyegun represented Nigeria on the 1964 Summer season Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the place he gained the bronze medal within the males's gentle middleweight (71 kg) class and went down in historical past as Nigeria's first Olympic medalist.
3. Profitable the African Nations Cup in 1980
Nigeria hosted the match with the clear goal of proving that they have been one of the best workforce in Africa.
The Inexperienced Eagles defeated Algeria 3-0 to assert their first ever African title, with the likes of Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, Musa Lawal, Aloysius Atuegbu and extra changing into family names.
That title win catapulted Nigeria to one of many elites on the continent and paved the way in which for future groups to earn respect. They gained the title once more in 1994 and 2013.
4. Tremendous Eagles certified for the 1994 World Cup
After six failed makes an attempt to hitch world soccer's elite, a workforce led by the late Stephen Keshi and coached by Clemens Westerhof earned a 1–1 draw towards Algeria on October 8, 1993 on the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers .
Finidi George scored Nigeria's aim within the nineteenth minute, and the Algerians equalized with 19 minutes left by way of Sidi Ahmed Zerrouki.
The Eagles retained their place on the 1994 World Cup held in the US of America.
5. Eagles attain the highest 5 of the FIFA rankings in 1994
Coach Clemence Westerhof and his group of gamers made Africa proud and took the world by storm with their taking part in type.
The workforce was ranked fifth within the April 1994 FIFA rankings, the very best FIFA rating ever achieved by an African workforce.
Thus far, Nigeria is the one African nation to rise to fifth place within the month-to-month FIFA rankings.
6. Ajunwa, Nigeria's first particular person Olympic gold medalist
Chioma Ajunwa gained a gold medal on the 1996 Olympic Video games in Atlanta, USA. Ajunwa grew to become the primary athlete in Nigeria to win an Olympic gold medal and can also be the primary black African girl to win an Olympic gold medal in a discipline occasion.
She stays Nigeria's solely particular person Olympic gold medalist up to now.
Ajunwa is a member of the Nigerian Police Pressure and stays the one girl to take part as a footballer in each the FIFA Ladies's World Cup and the Olympic Video games as an athlete.
7. First Olympic gold in African soccer in 1996
Nigeria grew to become the primary African nation to win Olympic gold within the soccer occasion on the 1996 Olympic Video games.
The workforce, led by Nwankwo Kanu, got here from 3-1 right down to Brazil within the semi-finals, successful 4-3 after a sudden demise aim from Kanu.
The finale was much more magical. Argentina, filled with stars together with Hernan Crespo, Ariel Ortega, Diego Simeone and Claudio Lopez, raced to a 2-1 lead. However Daniel Amokachi leveled issues with about fifteen minutes to play, and Emmanuel Amunike grabbed the winner in stoppage time.
8. Oshoala named finest participant on the 2014 FIFA U-20 Ladies's World Cup
Asisat Oshoala was named one of the best participant and was the very best goalscorer on the 2014 FIFA U-20 Ladies's World Cup, the place she scored seven objectives – highlighted by a four-goal haul within the 6-2 win over North Korea within the semi remaining.
Nigeria misplaced 1-0 to Germany within the remaining, however the Barcelona star had already made her mark.
9. Tobi Amusan's triple crown in 2022
Amusan grew to become the primary and solely Nigerian to be topped African, Commonwealth and World Champion in the identical yr.
In June she efficiently defended her African Championship title, storming to a wind-assisted 12.57 seconds, the quickest time in all circumstances within the occasion's historical past on the Championships.
The Nigerian adopted up with a historic efficiency as she gained the 100m Hurdles title on the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, changing into the primary Nigerian to be topped World Champion at World Athletics' flagship occasion, the World Athletics Championships.
Amusan did so in record-breaking style, working a brand new world report of 12.12 seconds, changing into the primary Nigerian observe and discipline star to set a world report.
Amusan had additionally clocked a time of 12.30 seconds within the remaining in Birmingham to efficiently defend her Commonwealth Video games title.
10. D'Tigress wins historic fourth consecutive African title in 2023
The Nigerian nationwide ladies's basketball workforce, recognized professionally as D'Tigress, defeated their Senegalese counterpart 84-74 within the remaining of the 2023 FIBA Ladies's Afrobasket match to change into champions of Africa.
The victory marked the fourth consecutive title for the D'Tigress.
The victory makes the Nigerian ladies solely the second workforce after Senegal to traditionally win 4 consecutive titles.
They have been topped champions in 2017 after going twelve years with out a title to indicate for his or her efforts.
D'Tigress then recorded the identical feats in 2019, 2021 after which 2023 in thrilling type.
