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Only five Nigerians made ESPN's list of the greatest African athletes of the 21st century.
ESPN recently released a list of a wide array of athletic talent across Africa, recognizing athletes who have made significant contributions in various sports.
Amongst the athletes who were recognized included Super Falcons of Nigeria star and six-time African women’s player of the year winner, Asisat Oshoala.
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Oshoala is famous for her remarkable success at club and country level as well as her leadership in women's football in Africa.
Alongside Oshoala was also her predecessor Perpetua Nkwocha, who also made the list as arguably the greatest Super Falcons player of all time.
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19:23 - 19.07.2024
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Also making ESPN’s shortlist was Nigerian-Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya.
Nicknamed ‘the last Stylebender’ Adesanya is widely considered as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the UFC middleweight division.
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His influence in the mixed martial arts industry exemplifies the excellence and diversity of African athletes.
Like Oshoala, Adesanya was joined by Kamaru Usman on the list.
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Usman has already established himself as one of the most prominent fighters of the UFC lightweight division.
New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora, also made ESPN’s shortlist, having recorded tremendous success in the NFL.
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Umenyiora spent much of his childhood in Nigeria and has continued his post-NFL career in Lagos as a talent developer.
Oshaola, Adesanya, Nkwocha, Usman, and Umenyiora were the only Nigerian athletes included in ESPN’s shortlist.
However, a few eyebrows were raised due to the surprising exclusion of two other legends in Nigerian sports.
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13:21 - 20.07.2024
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Okocha and Mikel Obi raise eyebrows over surprise omissions
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ESPN’s list has sparked discussions due to the surprising omissions of Nigerian football legends Jay-Jay Okocha and John Obi Mikel.
Okocha, renowned for his flair and creativity on the field, and Mikel, celebrated for his success with Chelsea FC and the Nigerian national team, have both had illustrious careers.
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Their absence from the list has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts about the criteria used for selection, questioning why these iconic figures were not included despite their substantial contributions to football.
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23:42 - 17.07.2024
Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi visits Real Madrid
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ESPN’s full list of the 25 greatest athletes of the 21st century
Below is the complete list of the 25 best African athletes of the 21st century compiled by ESPN.
1. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) - Athletics
2. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) - Athletics
3. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) - Football
4. Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) - Athletics
5. Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) - Athletics
6. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) - Football
7. Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) - Athletics
8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - Cricket
9. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) - Football
10. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) - Football
11. Joel Embiid (Cameroon) - Basketball
12. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) - Rugby
13. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) - Football
14. Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa) - Athletics
15. Israel Adesanya (Nigeria) - MMA
16. Ernst van Dyk (South Africa) - Cycling
17. Caster Semenya (South Africa) - Athletics
18. Mary Keitany (Kenya) - Athletics
19. Sadio Mane (Senegal) - Football
20. Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria) - Football
21. Chad le Clos (South Africa) - Swimming
22. Ramy Ashour (Egypt) - Squash
23. Kamaru Usman (Nigeria) - MMA
24. Osi Umenyiora (Nigeria) - NFL
25. Mwadi Mabika (DR Congo) - Basketball
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21:32 - 14.04.2024
Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024
Only two Nigerian athletes made the highly-coveted list of FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 for 2024.
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