Nigeria’s 10 biggest football moments of 2024 – Edo Queens, Super Eagles, Lookman hit new heights

The year 2024 proved to be a momentous one for Nigerian football, delivering a mix of triumphs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable milestones.

From individual accolades to historic team achievements, Nigerian players and teams showed resilience and brilliance on some of the sport’s grandest stages.

Ademola Lookman emerged as a star for both club and country, while William Troost-Ekong reaffirmed his leadership on the international stage.

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Off the pitch, there were managerial shifts and domestic glories that also defined the year.

Here, Soccernet.ng recount the top 10 moments that left an indelible mark on Nigerian football in 2024.

10. Flying Eagles retain WAFU B title

In October, Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, confirmed their dominance in West African football by defending their WAFU B U20 Championship title.

A thrilling 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final, held at the Stade de Kégué in Lome, Togo, sealed their triumph.

The Flying Eagles had entered the tournament as reigning champions, having claimed the title in 2022 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Benin.

However, their title defence began shakily with a 1-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the group stage.

The team rebounded impressively, defeating Côte d’Ivoire and Niger to secure a place in the final against fierce rivals Ghana.

Two well-taken goals from young forward Kparobo Arierhi ensured Nigeria’s victory, confirming their status as the region’s football powerhouse.

The win also earned Nigeria a spot at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

9. Edo Queens conquer Nigeria and WAFU B

Edo Queens had a year to remember, emerging as champions of the Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

The Benin City-based club clinched their maiden NWFL title in May, narrowly edging out Rivers Angels on goal difference after a fiercely contested playoffs.

Their triumph marked a historic moment for Edo Queens and secured their spot in the WAFU B Champions League qualifiers.

In August, Edo Queens added another feather to their cap by winning the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 victory over Benin’s Ainonvi FC in the final.

Goals from Suliat Abideen, Emem Essien, and an own-goal from Ainonvi FC’s Elizabeth Ukandu sealed the win at the Stade de La Paix de Bouaké in Côte d’Ivoire, earning them a place at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Edo Queens’ campaign at the continental tournament, however, ended in disappointment with a fourth-place finish.

8. Rangers International win NPFL title

Rangers International of Enugu ended an eight-year wait for domestic glory by winning the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

The Flying Antelopes sealed the championship in June with a game to spare, but the winners eventually finish the season on 70 points.

The title triumph marked Rangers’ eighth NPFL title, reaffirming their status as one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs.

Their triumph also secured a return to the CAF Champions League, where they were billed to represent Nigeria alongside runners-up Remo Stars.

7. El-Kanemi Warriors end 32-year FA Cup drought

June also saw El-Kanemi Warriors lift their third Nigerian FA Cup, ending a 32-year trophy drought.

The Maiduguri-based club defeated Abia Warriors 2-0 in the final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, with Ibrahim Salihu scoring both goals.

Salihu’s brace, including a clinical finish in the 65th minute, ensured victory for El-Kanemi, who had previously won the FA Cup in 1991 and 1992. The triumph earned them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup and a N50 million cash prize.

6. Victor Boniface’s double triumph in Germany

Victor Boniface had a stellar debut season with Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first Nigerian to win both the Bundesliga and the German Cup in the same season.

Boniface’s contributions were pivotal to Leverkusen’s success, as he finished the Bundesliga season as the club’s top scorer with 14 goals.

His consistent performances earned him four Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards and the coveted Rookie of the Season accolade.

Leverkusen’s unbeaten campaign across all domestic competitions was capped by their DFB Pokal victory, with Boniface playing a key role throughout.

His remarkable season also saw him named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, cementing his status as one of Europe’s brightest talents.

5. Super Falcons return to the Olympics

The Super Falcons made a triumphant return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence, defeating South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the qualifiers.

Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty in Abuja proved decisive as Nigeria secured one of Africa’s two tickets to the Paris 2024 Games.

Despite their historic qualification, the Falcons’ Olympic campaign ended in disappointment.

Drawn in a tough group with Spain, Japan, and Brazil, they failed to progress past the group stage, suffering narrow defeats in all three matches.

Nonetheless, the Falcons’ qualification was a significant milestone, confirming their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.

4. William Troost-Ekong wins AFCON Player of the Tournament

Though the Super Eagles fell short in their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, captain William Troost-Ekong shone brightly, earning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.

His standout performances included three crucial goals, one of which was the opener in the final against Côte d’Ivoire.

Troost-Ekong’s recognition was the first time in 22 years that a defender had claimed the award and the first Nigerian recipient since Austin Okocha in 2004.

While South Africa’s Ronwen Williams narrowly edged out Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali for the Best Goalkeeper accolade, the Super Eagles had further cause for celebration as Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Troost-Ekong were named in the Team of the Tournament.

3. Ademola Lookman’s Europa League hat-trick glory

Ademola Lookman etched his name into history with a sensational hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final, as the Italian side defeated Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.

His goals not only secured Atalanta’s second major trophy in their 117-year history but also ended Leverkusen’s remarkable 51-game unbeaten streak.

Lookman’s heroics made him just the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final, and the first since 1975.

A truly proud moment for Nigerians worldwide.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said of Lookman that unforgettable night:

“Nobody imagined he could make this much progress. He wasn’t overly prolific in ­England. I played him in a slightly more ­attacking role and this season he’s had a great year.

“Tonight he achieved something that will remain in the annals of football history.”

2. Super Eagles reach AFCON final

The Super Eagles defied the odds to reach their first AFCON final in a decade, overcoming injuries to key players, pre-tournament doubts, and a challenging path.

Despite a 2-1 loss to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final, the team’s journey captivated fans.

Troost-Ekong’s first-half header gave Nigeria an early lead, but Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller completed the comeback for the Elephants.

The match was a bittersweet end to a campaign where the Super Eagles defeated giants like South Africa, Cameroon, and even the Ivorians, showing resilience under coach José Peseiro.

Tragically, six Nigerian fans lost their lives during and after the semifinal against South Africa, casting a somber shadow over the tournament.

1. Lookman crowned Africa’s Best

December brought Nigeria her proudest moment of the year as Ademola Lookman was named CAF African Footballer of the Year.

The Atalanta forward’s stellar season included 17 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-24 campaign, a Europa League hat-trick, and key contributions to Nigeria’s AFCON run.

Lookman succeeding compatriot Victor Osimhen is the first time Nigerians would win back-to-back African Player of the Year awards since Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in the 1990s. Lookman also earned a Ballon d’Or nomination, finishing 14th.

On the same night, Nigeria celebrated more triumphs as Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year.

Honourable Mentions

Ndidi and Iheanacho celebrate Championship glory

Leicester City’s Nigerian duo, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, helped the club secure the Championship title and a swift return to the Premier League after relegation in 2023.

Rivers Angels claim ninth Federation Cup

Rivers Angels ended a six-year drought by defeating Naija Ratels 1-0 in the Federation Cup final, securing their ninth title through Blessing Okpe’s penalty strike.

Finidi George’s brief Super Eagles reign

Finidi George’s short stint as Nigeria’s head coach brought hope and disappointment.

Celebrated as the first substantive Nigerian manager in nearly a decade, his tenure ended abruptly following poor results in World Cup qualifiers.