Sports
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Nigeria’s Best in 13 Years
Nigeria at the Olympics: Now and in the Past
Nigeria has competed in the Olympics since 1952, but Africa’s most populous country has only a total of 25 medals to show for its efforts.
Three gold medals, ten silver, and twelve bronze medals make up the total. Read on as we run you through some of the country’s 16 Olympics performances, in which 722 competitors were the proud recipients of these awards.
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Based on their previous performances, you’ll be able to rate the countries competing in the future Olympics. Let’s take a look at Nigeria and its Olympic history.
2020 Olympics
The Minister of Youth and Sports said that Team Nigeria’s performance in the recent Games was the “best in the last 13 years.” Minister Sunday Dare rightly believes Nigerians should be proud. Their country finished 74th on the medals table.
The minister called Nigeria’s athletes “amazing” and said the country’s 74th-place finish in the awards table was the best in many years, 13 in fact!
According to The PUNCH, Nigeria finished 68 out of 201 countries in Sydney in 2004, with two 3rd place bronze medals. However, in Tokyo 2020, the Nigerian teams placed 74th out of 205 countries, winning two bronze and a silver medal.
While only five competitors from the Men’s 4 x 100m relay and Men’s 4 x 400m relay got to the finals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 8 athletes from the Men’s 4 x 100m relay and Men’s 4 x 400m relay qualified for the finals in Sydney 2004.
Naming The Athletes
Blessing Oborududu earned the silver medal for Nigeria in Tokyo 2020, while Ese Brume got the bronze. Brume won her maiden Olympic award and Nigeria’s first at these games with a just shy of 7-meter long jump in the final at the Olympic Stadium.
Oborududu, an up-and-coming wrestler, won a silver medal in the women’s freestyle wrestling 68 kg division. Nigeria had not won a medal in wrestling since 1952 when the country first participated in the Olympics.
Nigeria finished 32nd at Atlanta with two gold medals, one silver and three bronze. Here’s a list of the athletes and the medals they won.
Chioma Ajunwa, women’s long jump winner, won a gold medal. Bisi Afolabi, Falilat Ogunkoya, Charity Opara, and Fatima Yusuf won silver, representing Nigeria in the women’s 4400 meters relay.
The football team claimed the gold medal, propelling them into the history books, beating the world’s favourite, Brazil. The team captain Nwankwo Kanu claimed his rightful place as a Nigerian legend.
We know Nigeria can perform but has Nigeria not performed well in the last 3 Olympic games, or are the critics unkind? Let’s look at some of Nigeria’s top moments in its sporting history and shout out these achievements.
Nigeria’s Best at Past Olympic Games
Jim Maiyegun won the country’s first Olympic medal in Tokyo, 1964. Honouring the men’s light-middleweight division, he won bronze.
After that, Nigeria had to wait another eight years until another boxer, Isaac Ikhouria, won bronze in the light heavyweight category at the Munich Games in 1972.
The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona saw Team Nigeria redeem themselves by capturing three silver and one bronze medal. Boxing and athletics were also sources of these.
August 3, 1996, will live on in the minds of soccer-crazed Nigerians who celebrated their country’s historic first soccer gold medal win in Atlanta’s 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
In the men’s heavyweight and super-heavyweight divisions, Richard Igbineghu and David Izonritei won silver medals, while the male and female relay teams won medals in the 4100m relay competitions.
Olapade Adeniken, Davidson Ezinwa, Chidi Imoh, and Oluyemi Kayode of the men’s quartet earned silver. At the same time, Beatrice Utondu, Christy Opara-Thompson, Mary Onyali, and Faith Idehen of the women’s four won bronze.
At the Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996, Nigeria earned two gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals in unprecedented performances.
On July 29, 1996, Chioma Ajunwa won a gold medal in the country’s first-ever winning women’s Long Jump event with her first jump.
Chioma Ajunwa earned a gold medal in the country’s first-ever women’s long jump event on July 29, 1996, with her first jump.
On August 3, Nigeria’s U-23 squad won a thrilling match against Argentina. Kanu Nwankwo, the team’s captain and scorer of the historic golden goal that beat Brazil in the semi-final, was one of the team’s most well-known members. Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Uche Okechukwu, and Daniel Amokachi were also on the team.
At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Team Nigeria had a mixed bag of results. The USA team of Alvin Harrison, Antonio Pettigrew, Calvin Harrison, and Michael Johnson won the 4x400m relay race ahead of the Nigerian team of Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye, the late Sunday Bada, and Enefiok Udo-Obong. Still, the IOC reallocated the gold medal to Nigeria on July 12, 2012, after Antonio Pettigrew admitted to using banned substances in 2008.
In their August 28, 2004 competitions, the Sydney finalists, Aaron Egbele, Deji Aliu, Uchenna Emedolu, Musa Audu, Olusoji Fasuba, James Godday, Saul Weigopwa, and Enefiok Udo-Obong earned two bronze medals.
Another male football team, captained by the late Promise Isaac and managed by Samson Siasia, won silver in Beijing in 2008 after losing to Argentina due to an Angel di Maria goal.
Nigeria has never really shone at the Olympics, but they stepped up their game this year, earning them a ‘well-done’ from the country’s minister of sport.
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Online Casino Evolution
The journey of online casinos began in the mid-1990s with the advent of the Internet. Fast forward to today, and the industry has mushroomed into a multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon. But to what can its phenomenal popularity be attributed?
Ease of Access and Convenience
One of the major reasons why online casinos have prospered is the convenience they offer. It means that with a smartphone, tablet, or computer, players can play any time, anywhere.
Multitude of Games
Unlike land-based casinos, online casinos offer a plethora of games on their roster. From classic table games like blackjack and roulette, to creative slots with engaging themes, there’s something for every gamer’s taste.
Slot Games: Entertainment for All
Slot games are the most enjoyed amusement in the world of online casinos. The simplicity of the game, combined with appealing graphics and lucrative bonuses, has made it a favorite both for amateur and professional players.
Why Slots Are a Favorite Among People
Easy to Play: Slots are the easiest casino game to play, and there is absolutely no need for experience or strategies.
Creative Themes: Starting from mythology to adventure, slot games are designed with various themes that attract players.
Jackpots: Progressive slots boast of life-altering jackpots which grow with each new spin.
Features of the Best Slots
High RTP: Games with high RTP percentages offer a very good chance of winning.
Bonus Rounds: Look out for slots offering free spins, multipliers, and more.
Mobile Compatibility: Make sure it works on your device.
Table Games: Where Strategy and Entertainment Meet
Table games will satisfy those who want to feel some strategy with their luck. In these games, players will need more engagement and are particularly rewarding when well played.
Popular Table Games
Blackjack: A game of skill and strategy, players try to outdo the dealer without going over 21. Roulette: A very exciting game of chance in which gamblers bet on where the ball will land on a spinning wheel. Poker: From Texas Hold’em to Omaha, poker is all about bluffing, strategy, and calculated risks. Tips for Table Games Success Understand the Rules: First, understand the rules and strategies of the game.
Free Games to Practice: Many sites offer free versions to hone your skills.
Bankroll Management: Set limits and stick to them to avoid overspending.
Live Casino Games: Bringing Realism to Your Screen
The introduction of live dealer games has narrowed the gap between traditional casinos and online casino games. In these games, real dealers host the games, and it is broadcast in real-time for an authentic experience right in your living room.
Advantages of Live Dealer Games
Real-Time Interaction: Chat with dealers and other players to create a social atmosphere.
High Stakes: Many live games cater to high rollers looking for more intense gaming sessions.
Variety: Enjoy games like live blackjack, baccarat, and game show-inspired titles like “Crazy Time.”
Bonuses and Promotions: Maximizing Your Experience
Online casinos often attract players with enticing bonuses and promotions. These offers can significantly enhance your gameplay if used wisely.
Common Types of Bonuses
Welcome Bonus: A reward for signing up, often including deposit matches and free spins.
No Deposit Bonus: Get a small bonus without making an initial deposit.
Loyalty Programs: Earn points with every wager and redeem them for rewards.
How to Choose the Best Bonus
Read the Terms and Conditions: Understand the wagering requirements beforehand.
Check the Validity Period: Make sure that the time given by the bonus is sufficient enough to meet its requirements.
Focus on Your Favorite Games: Some bonuses are game-specific. Choose ones that suit your interests.
Responsible Gaming: A Key Aspect of Enjoyment
While online casinos are a source of entertainment, it’s essential to practice responsible gaming to ensure a positive experience.
Tips for Responsible Gaming
Set a Budget: Decide on a spending limit before you start playing.
Take Breaks: Avoid long gaming sessions to maintain a healthy balance.
Know your Limits: Don’t chase losses; it’s better to walk away and try another day.
Tools at the Player’s Aid
Most online casinos include features for self-exclusion, setting deposit limits, and reality checks that may enable responsible gaming.
Future of Online Casinos
With technology Burke, the online casino industry is bound to reach newer heights. Following are a few trends that are going to shape its future:
Virtual Reality Casinos
Just imagine being inside a virtual casino playing games and communicating with other players, as if you were sitting across from each other. This is the reality that VR technology is bringing into being.
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain
Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are becoming increasingly popular. They provide quicker transactions with added security. Fairness in gaming is ensured through the transparency provided by blockchain technology.
By Dipo Olowookere
The former manager of Mali’s national football team, Mr Eric Chelle, has been appointed as the new head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The appointment of Mr Chelle was announced on Tuesday night by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The first job of the new coach will be to guide the home-base Super Eagles team to victory at the 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-hosted by the trio of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1–28, 2025.
He will work with the current Super Eagles B coaching staff, which includes Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and Olatunji Baruwa, who successfully guided the team through CHAN qualifiers.
The biennial football tournament is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and sponsored by an oil giant, TotalEnergies.
Mr Chelle would be expected to deploy his tactics to ensure a successful outing of the home-based Super Eagles at the competition and also revive the main team, according to the president of the NFF, Mr Ibrahim Gusau.
“We want whoever takes charge of the team to begin immediately, which is why the same coach will manage the CHAN Eagles.
“This allows us to identify promising home-based players who can contribute to the senior national team,” he stated.
Business Post reports that the new coach was favoured for the new job by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee of the federation and endorsed by the executive committee.
One of his biggest tasks will be to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA).
At the moment, Nigeria occupies fifth position and will play the next qualifiers in two months’ time.
Mr Chelle led the Mali national team to quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He is the latest foreign coach appointed by the NFF to manage the country’s national team.
The race for the first silverware of the 2024/25 season intensifies as Premier League leaders Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal will be in Carabao Cup semifinal action this midweek.
Arsenal will host Newcastle United in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, while Liverpool travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday. Both matches will be broadcast live on GOtv Channel 65 at 9 PM.
Fresh from their impressive 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday, Newcastle will aim to build on their momentum and secure a favorable result ahead of the second leg at St. James’ Park. The Magpies have already defeated Arsenal 1-0 earlier this season, and another strong performance could leave the Gunners with a steep hill to climb in the second leg.
Newcastle will be without their influential captain, Bruno Guimarāes due to suspension, while Arsenal battle with illness issues in the squad which has seen Kai Havertz miss the last two matches.
Arsenal, who haven’t lifted the Carabao Cup in 31 years, view this competition as a vital chance for silverware, especially with their league title hopes fading.
On the other side of North London, Tottenham Hotspur face defending champions Liverpool, hoping to avoid a repeat of their 6-3 thrashing by their visitors just 17 days ago. Spurs have managed just one win in their last eight matches at home in all competitions—a narrow 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the quarterfinal. Their last taste of silverware came 17 years ago when they won this competition.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, who have lost just one match all season, are chasing an ambitious quadruple. A victory over Spurs on Wednesday would put them on the brink of securing a spot in the final at Wembley.
Football fans can enjoy all Carabao Cup matches, Premier League, Serie A, Laliga and Champions League action live by reconnecting or upgrading to the GOtv Super Plus package. Simply dial *288# to renew or upgrade your subscription.
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