Nigerian football delivered a whirlwind of emotions in 2024, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly in equal measure.
The year began brightly with the Super Eagles securing a podium finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, narrowly falling to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
The Super Falcons ended a 16-year wait by qualifying for the Olympics, edging out South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a dramatic final leg of the qualifiers.
Unfortunately, their Olympic campaign faltered, with losses in all three group-stage matches.
Ademola Lookman’s stellar rise marked a high point, with the Super Eagles forward earning the prestigious African Player of the Year award.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Nigeria ended the year in 44th place on the FIFA rankings—their lowest finish in six years.
The Super Eagles struggled in World Cup qualifiers and suffered a disappointing loss to Rwanda in their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo.
Nigerian teams haven’t fared better in the continental space, with only Enyimba making appreciable progress – as the only Nigerian club to get to the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Amid the highs and lows, Afrik-Foot reviews the year and highlights the top performers across various categories.
Goal of the Year: Samuel Chukwueze
In a year where the Nigeria national teams delivered an array of stunning performances, one goal captured the imagination of fans: Samuel Chukwueze's breathtaking solo effort against Rwanda in Uyo.
The AC Milan winger delivered a moment of sheer brilliance during Nigeria's emphatic victory over the Amavubi, a goal that will be remembered for years to come.
Picking up the ball deep on the right flank, Chukwueze embarked on a mesmerizing run, weaving his way through three defenders with a combination of pace, close control, and audacity.
As he entered the box, he unleashed a precise left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Save of the Year: Stanley Nwabali’s brilliance vs Ivory Coast
Stanley Nwabali put up a moment of brilliance that has earned him the Nigerian Save of the Year accolade.
In Nigeria’s group-stage clash against Côte d’Ivoire at AFCON 2023, a poor Zaidu Sanusi header put Christian Kouamé through on goal early in the game.
Nwabali reacted swiftly, charging out to deny Kouamé the time to pick his spot. His heroic intervention, deflecting the shot with his ribs, prevented a certain opener and earned the Confederation of African Football’s “Save of the Day” for Matchday 2.
The Super Eagles later clinched a narrow 1-0 victory, with Nwabali’s save proving decisive.
Discovery of the Year: Gabriel Osho
Gabriel Osho’s rise in 2024 makes him our Discovery of the Year.
After an impressive campaign with Luton Town in the Premier League, the English-born central defender earned his first Super Eagles call-up in March for matches against Ghana and Mali despite their relegation.
Unfortunately, a knee injury recurrence sidelined him from the camp in Morocco.
In the summer of 2024, Osho secured a move to AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1, where his performances continued to impress.
His form caught the attention of interim Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen, who handed him a recall for the AFCON qualifiers in November.
On November 14, Osho finally made his long-awaited debut for Nigeria in a crucial 1-1 draw against Benin.
Best local coach: Fidelis Ilechukwu
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s brilliance on the touchline earns him the title of Nigeria’s Best Local Coach for 2024.
The Enugu Rangers boss masterminded a historic campaign, guiding the Flying Antelopes to their eighth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title—their first since 2016.
Under Ilechukwu’s leadership, Rangers dominated the 2023/2024 season, finishing with 70 points from 38 matches.
The team secured 21 wins, seven draws, and suffered only ten losses, scoring an impressive 56 goals while conceding 33 for a +23 goal difference.
The title race went down to the wire, but Ilechukwu’s tactical acumen kept Rangers ahead of rivals Remo Stars, 3SC, and Enyimba.
Home-Based Player of the Year: Chijioke Mbaoma
Chijioke Mbaoma’s remarkable 2023/24 campaign has earned him the Home-Based Player of the Year award.
The 21-year-old striker was a top player in the NPFL, registering 18 goals and two assists across 34 matches for Enyimba, where his contributions were instrumental.
Mbaoma’s 18 league goals accounted for a staggering 39.13% of Enyimba’s total haul of 46 goals, a feat that propelled The People’s Elephants to a third-place finish and secured a CAF Confederation Cup spot.
Most Improved Player (Male): Maduka Okoye
Maduka Okoye has silenced his critics and proven himself as Nigeria's most improved player in 2024.
After enduring heavy criticism following the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Okoye has transformed into a reliable and confident goalkeeper.
His performances for Italian club Udinese highlight his growth and resilience.
As Udinese’s undisputed number one goalkeeper, Okoye has made more appearances in the top European leagues than any other Nigerian goalkeeper this season.
In 2024, he has played 35 matches across all competitions, conceding 39 goals and keeping eight clean sheets. In Serie A, he boasts an impressive 64% save percentage, stopping 37 of 59 shots.
Okoye also marked his return to the Super Eagles in November, featuring in Nigeria's 2-1 loss to Rwanda in Uyo.
Most Improved Player (Female): Ifeoma Onumonu
Ifeoma Onumonu has made a significant leap in her career since moving to Europe from the United States, earning her recognition as Nigeria’s most improved female player in 2024.
The Montpellier forward has consistently delivered standout performances for both club and country.
Previously seen as a backup option for the Super Falcons’ attack, Onumonu has risen to prominence, securing a starting role at Montpellier.
She has netted six goals and provided one assist in nine starts for her club this season.
Her impressive form extends to the international stage, where she scored in Nigeria’s narrow 2-1 defeat to France in a friendly last month.
Young Player of the Year (Male): Kparobo Arierhi
Kparobo Arierhi has emerged as one of Nigeria’s brightest talents in 2024, dazzling fans with his incredible goal-scoring ability and match-winning performances.
Representing Beyond Limits Academy and the national U20 team, the Flying Eagles, he has enjoyed a remarkable year.
Arierhi was the star of the WAFU B tournament in Ghana, scoring twice in the final to help the Flying Eagles triumph over the Black Satellites, and finished with three goals in four matches.
His club performances have been equally impressive.
Arierhi played a pivotal role for Beyond Limits, scoring five goals in as many matches during their historic Viareggio Tournament victory in Italy.
At the Gothia Cup in Sweden, he added four more goals as his team reached the semi-finals.
Domestically, he topped the scoring charts in the TCC League with an astonishing 22 goals in 15 matches.
Arierhi’s stellar year culminated in signing a pre-contract with Norwegian side Lillestrom, setting the stage for a promising professional career.
Young Player of the Year (Female): Shakirat Moshood
Shakirat Moshood’s meteoric rise in 2024 has captivated the Nigerian football community.
Virtually unknown before the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic, she became a standout player in the tournament, showcasing her exceptional skills and football intelligence to widespread acclaim.
Moshood’s contributions from midfield powered Nigeria to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to the United States.
She scored four goals in the group stage, leading Nigeria to a perfect record.
Her long-range strike against the Dominican Republic secured a 1-0 victory and earned her the Goal of the Tournament award.
She continued her impressive form at the WAFU B Girls Championship in Ghana, where she played a key role in Nigeria’s second-place finish behind the hosts.
Additional contribution: Toyosi Afolayan
