Several events made the headlines in the Nigerian sporting circle – some positive, while others were not so positive.
We highlight five of the most unforgettable moments that defined our sports in 2015.
July: Oliseh succeeds Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles coach
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in July announced the appointment of former skipper, Sunday Oliseh, as new coach of the Super Eagles – replacing Stephen Keshi.
NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, who described the tactician as “Pep Guardiola of Africa” stated that:”Oliseh has all the necessary knowledge and exposure we’re looking for to take the country’s football to a great height.”
The 40-year-old tactician in-turn labelled the Nigerian role as “the biggest job in African football” during his unveiling ceremony.
However, the job turned sour with just few months into his reign when former captain and most capped player in the country’s history, Vincent Enyeama, decided to abruptly quit the team.
The Lille shot-stopper was soon joined on the retiree-list by 2013 Africa Cup of Nations top-scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, who said his decision was for “national peace”.
August: D’Tigers win AfroBasket
Nigeria, for the first time, became continental basketball champions following the triumph at the 2015 AfroBasket in Rades, Tunisia.
The D’Tigers defeated perennial rivals and most successful side on the continent, Angola, 74-65 in the final to lift the title.
By winning the accolade, Nigeria automatically qualified for the 2016 Olympics. The next three best-placed teams, Angola, Tunisia, and Senegal, each secured a spot in next summer’s final FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“It’s the best moment of my life, said tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Nigeria’s skipper, Chamberlain Oguchi.
“I’m happy to be able to share this moment with them and for me personally, it’s just really great.”
September: Runner-up at All Africa Games
Team Nigeria finished overall second behind Egypt at the 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo in September.
Nigeria recorded her best ever finish in 18 years with a total medal haul of 144 out of which 47 were gold.
The last time the West Africans had it as good or better was when it actually hosted the Games in Abuja in 2003, finishing tops on the final medals table.
While sports like football, which continually gulps the bulk of allocations, failed to meet expectations, the para athletes that donned Nigeria’s colours in Congo put up awesome performance; providing a dozen gold medals for Nigeria – the most by any of the sports entered for by the country.
Aside wining gold, the country’s para lifting contingent went further: setting as much as five world records, a feat that was not recorded in any other 21 events on parade at the 2015 Games.
November: Winner- FIFA U-17 World Cup
Another memorable moment in the year under review was the Golden Eaglets record fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup triumph in Chile last month.
The Emmanuel Amunike-led side defeated West African neighbours, Senegal, 2-0 in the final to clinch back-to-back titles.
Despite finishing fourth at the African tourney held earlier in the year, the Nigeria U-17 side went on to become the most successful nation at the international stage.
“Personally I’m really happy,” Amunike told FIFA official website after the final.
He added: “I have football in my blood, as a player and as a coach. This is what I want to pass to my players.“
Youngster, Victor Osimhen, also entered his name in the history books after scoring 10 goals to become the player with most goals at a single tournament.
December: Dream Team VI win U-23 AFCON
Despite several setbacks in terms of preparation, funding and welfare, the Nigeria national U-23 side qualified for the male football event at next year’s summer Olympics in Brazil.
The Dream Team VI ended the country’s eight-year absence from the quadrennial event by clinching a ticket to Rio at the CAF U-23 AFCON in Senegal.
Nigeria alongside Algeria and South Africa will be representing the continent at the event after finishing first, second and third respectively at the U-23 competition.
Coach Samson Siasia, who is making another appearance at the Olympics after leading the country to silver in 2008, was delighted to make it to another Olympics.
“We are happy we’ve won a very difficult tournament,” the coach told BBC Sports.
“I wasn’t even sure we could make it to the final but through hard work and intense discussions after every game ensured the boys corrected their mistakes – we came out victorious.”
