Nigeria’s sporting year in 2025 was a rollercoaster of emotions—a breathtaking blend of historic triumphs, “what-if” moments, and a painful reality check for the nation’s most popular sport. From the dominance of our women’s teams to the redemption on the tracks of Tokyo, Nigerian excellence remained a global talking point.
Here is our comprehensive countdown of the Top 10 Nigerian Sports Moments of 2025.
The Best: Reclaiming African Dominance
1. The Super Falcons’ Historic 10th WAFCON Title
The “Mission X” campaign was a resounding success. In a final that will be talked about for decades, the Super Falcons staged a miraculous second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in Rabat. Trailing 2–0 at half-time, the Falcons proved why they are the queens of the continent, securing a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
2. D’Tigress: The Unstoppable Five-Peat
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, cemented their dynasty by winning their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title. Their dominance was absolute, highlighted by a crushing 83–47 quarter-final win over Cameroon and a gritty final victory against Mali. They are, without a doubt, the most consistent team in African sports today.
3. Tobi Amusan’s Tokyo Redemption
Afterthe heartbreak of Paris 2024, the “Queen of Hurdles” returned to the podium. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Amusan clocked a blistering 12.29s to win the Silver Medal in the 100m hurdles. While Swiss star Ditaji Kambundji took gold, Tobi’s resilience proved she remains a top-tier global force.
4. Kanyinsola Ajayi Breaks the 18-Year Sprint Jinx
For the first time since 2007, a Nigerian man stood in the 100m final of a World Championship. Kanyinsola Ajayi made history in Tokyo, finishing 6th with a time of 10.00s. His rise has reignited hope for Nigerian sprinting, marking the end of a long drought in the blue-riband event.
The Good: Emerging Stars and Domestic Glory
5. Remo Stars’ Maiden NPFL Crown
A new era dawned in Nigerian domestic football as Remo Stars won their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. It was a victory for modern club management, as the Ikenne-based side became the first South-Western club in 25 years to lift the trophy, clinching it with three games to spare.
6. Ezekiel Nathaniel Ends the 38-Year Wait
The hurdles weren’t just about Tobi this year. Ezekiel Nathaniel ended Nigeria’s 38-year wait for representation in a men’s 400m hurdles world final. By clocking 47.47s to win his semi-final in Tokyo, he signaled the arrival of a new world-class talent in Nigerian athletics.
7. Chiamaka Nnadozie’s Global Recognition
2025 was the year the world finally acknowledged Chiamaka Nnadozie as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. Following her WAFCON heroics, she earned a Ballon d’Or nomination (Yashin Trophy) and won the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time.
8. Nigeria Regains “Clean Doping” Status
A victory for the suits and the laboratory. In late 2025, the National Sports Commission (NSC) announced that Nigeria had cleared all outstanding anti-doping issues with WADA. This “clean bill of health” is vital for the integrity of our athletes heading into the next Olympic cycle.
The Bad: Heartbreak and Missed Opportunities
9. D’Tigers’ AfroBasket Slump
While the women soared, the men stumbled. D’Tigers finished a disappointing 5th at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket in Angola. The performance highlighted deep-seated administrative issues and a lack of preparation that has seen the former African champions lose their fear factor.
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10. The World Cup Nightmare: Super Eagles Miss Out
The most painful moment of 2025 was the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the talent of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, a string of underwhelming results in Group C left Nigeria with only 17 points, not enough to secure a ticket to the Americas. It remains a dark cloud over an otherwise brilliant year for Nigerian sports.
