Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets set a World Cup group stage perfect record for themselves after beating Canada 3-1 in Alajuela on Thursday morning to finish with a perfect nine points out of nine in Group C.

Head Coach, Chris Danjuma Musa said before the encounter that his girls would seek to win even as a quarter-final ticket was already in the bag, in order to sustain their winning mentality following hard-fought victories over France and Korea Republic. That was exactly what the Falconets did.

Africa’s best team conceded their first goal of the competition in an accidental manner, following goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a backpass from Jumoke Alani that granted Kala Novak a fortuitous goal in less than two minutes.

“It was great for us to come back from that setback, and also conceding first in the tournament. We showed character and spirit, and that would be huge for us going forward in the competition,” Musa said after the match.

Midfield impresario Esther Onyenezide, whose vicious curling shot earned all three points against Korea Republic late on, to send the Falconets into the last eight on Monday morning, scored from the penalty spot in the 24th minute to pull the Falconets level. Defender Mia Pante had handled the ball from a Blessing Okpe shot in the box.

The Falconets looked composed and surefooted in the middle with the return of Deborah Abiodun, who sat out the encounter with the Koreans, and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu also played an inspired game after starting for the first time in the tournament. Her firm header from a Blessing Okpe cross in the 15th minute missed narrowly.

Onyenezide shot Nigeria ahead, also from the spot, in the 32nd minute minute, after Simi Awujo’s dangerous play against Mercy Idoko, as the latter went for a header from Rofiat Imuran’s inswinger, was penalized.

In the added time of first period, Idoko came close to scoring her first goal of the tournament, but her touch from another Imuran inswinger kissed the upright.

In the second half, the Falconets added pace and brilliant use of space to their game, and it was no surprise when Imuran, again with a visionary cross, set up substitute Chioma Olise for Nigeria’s third goal.

Their imperial campaign in the group stage earns the Falconets a quarter-final date with The Netherlands in Alajuela as from 1am on Monday (Nigeria time).

Ese Brume wins a record breaking Commonwealth Games long jump Gold

Long jumper Ese Brume secured one more gold medal for Team Nigeria at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, after leaping 7.00m.

Ese, who is a World Athletics championships silver medallist, was not in the Gold Coast, Australia, to defend her title four years ago but she has done it now in Birmingham.

Before now, the previous Games Record for the Women’s Long Jump was 6.97m set by Australia’s Bronwyn Thompson on home ground,Melbourne in 2006.

With the gold medal by Brume, Team Nigeria’s total haul of 12 gold medals is the best the country has ever secured since taking part in the Commonwealth Games.

Earlier today, Ese’s compatriot, Tobi Amusan, won gold in the 100M Hurdle, a feat she also attained in a spectacular fashion – also setting a new world Record.

Team Nigeria women’s 4x100m quartet of Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha made history Sunday afternoon at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham by becoming the first women’s relay team to win a Commonwealth Games gold.

The quartet achieved this feat in record breaking fashion, running 42.10 seconds to break the barely one month old 42.22 seconds African record they set in Oregon, USA at the World Athletics championships.                           

World and Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Amusan started the historic run with a brilliant first leg before handing over to Ofili who ensured Nigeria maintained the advantage before giving Chukwuma, the individual 100m finalist the baton.

Chukwuma ran the curve perfectly and handed over to reigning Nigerian 100m queen, Nwokocha in first position.

The 21 year Nwokocha maintained the advantage despite the threat by Great Britain’s anchor leg runner, Darly Neita to bring home Team Nigeria’s first women’s 4 x 100m relay gold.

                                              The men’s team of Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola and Raymond Ekevwo also made history with the bronze medal win.

The medal is the first by the men’s 4x100m relay team since 1982.

Nigerian Tobi Amusan has won the 100 metres hurdles title with 12:29s making it Ten Gold for team Nigeria.

Amusan beat Jamaica’s Britany Anderson who finished second and Olympic Champion from Cuba, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn who came third.

Favour Ofili earlier claimed the silver medal in the women’s 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The 19-year-old who overcame COVID-19 before the start of the tournament showed no sign as she battled to her first ever medal outside Africa.

Ofili clocked 22.51 to claim the silver medal while Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah claimed the gold medal with a Games record time of 22.02.

Nigeria currently have 31 Medals= 11🏅 + 8 🥈 + 14 🥉
1. Olarinoye Adenike Adijat – 🏅 Gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting
2. Edidiong Joseph Umoafia –🏅 Gold in men’s 67kg Weightlifting
3. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal – 🥉Bronze in women’s 59kg Weightlifting
4. Islamiyat Adebukola – 🥉Bronze in women’s 64kg weight lifting
5. Taiwo Laidi – 🥈 SIlver in women’s 76kg weightlifting
6. Mary Taiwo Osijo – Bronze 🥉 in women’s 87kg weightlifting
7. Chioma Onyekwere – 🏅Gold in women’s discus
8. Obiageri Amechi – 🥉Bronze in women’s discus
9. Innocent Nnamdi – 🥉Bronze in men’s lightweight powerlifting category
10. Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu – Gold in 🏅 F42 Discus
11. Folashade Oluwafemiayo – 🏅Gold in women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
12. Bose Omolayo – 🥈Silver in women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
13. Ikechukwu Obichukwu – 🥈SIlver in medal in men’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
14. Odunayo Adekuoroye – 🏅Gold in women’s 57kg Freestyle wrestling
15. Blessing Oborududu – 🏅GOld in women’s 68kg Freestyle Wrestling
16. Esther Kolawole – 🥉Bronze in women’s 62kg freestyle wrestling
17. Eucharia Iyiazi – 🏅Gold in women’s F55-57 Shot Put
18. Ugochi Alam -🥉Bronze in women’s F55-57 Shot Put
19. Faith Obazuaye – 🥉Bronze women’s Singles Classes 6-10 Para Table
20. Miesinnei Mercy Genesis – Gold 🏅in women’s Wrestling Freestyle 50kg
21. Ebikewenimo Welson – 🥈Silver in men’s Freestyle 57kg Wrestling
22. Ogbonna John – 🥉Bronze in the men’s Freestyle 74kg
23. Ogunkunle Isau – 🥉Bronze in the Men’s Singles Classes 3-5 Para Table
24. Cynthia Ogunsemilore – 🥉Bronze in the women’s Boxing Lightweight
25. Hannah Rueben – 🥈 Silver medal in the 76kg women’s Wrestling
26. Nasiru Sule – 🥈 Silver Men’s Singles Classes 3-5 Para Table
27. Ifeanyi Onyekwere – 🥉Bronze in men’s boxing Super-heavyweight
28.Jacinta Umunnakwe – 🥉Bronze in the Women’s Middleweight event.
29. Ifechukwude Christiana IKPEOYI – 🥈 Silver in Women’s Para Table-Tennis
30. Favour Ofili – 🥈 Silver in women’s 200m

31. Tobi Amusan – 🏅Gold in women’s 100m Hurdles

Favour Ofili has claimed the silver medal in the women’s 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The 19-year-old who overcame COVID-19 before the start of the tournament showed no sign as she battled to her first ever medal outside Africa.

Ofili clocked 22.51 to claim the silver medal while Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah claimed the gold medal with a Games record time of 22.02.

Favour Ofili medal took Nigeria’s total medal hauls to 30 – with 14 of the medals won on Saturday.

Team Nigeria is currently placed 6th on the medal’s table

Nigeria currently have 30  Medals= 9 🏅 + 8 🥈 + 13 🥉
1. Olarinoye Adenike Adijat – 🏅 Gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting
2. Edidiong Joseph Umoafia –🏅 Gold in men’s 67kg Weightlifting
3. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal – 🥉Bronze in women’s 59kg Weightlifting
4. Islamiyat Adebukola – 🥉Bronze in women’s 64kg weight lifting
5. Taiwo Laidi – 🥈 SIlver in women’s 76kg weightlifting
6. Mary Taiwo Osijo – Bronze 🥉 in women’s 87kg weightlifting
7. Chioma Onyekwere – 🏅Gold in women’s discus
8. Obiageri Amechi – 🥉Bronze in women’s discus
9. Innocent Nnamdi – 🥉Bronze in men’s lightweight powerlifting category
10. Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu – Gold in 🏅 F42 Discus
11. Folashade Oluwafemiayo – 🏅Gold in women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
12. Bose Omolayo – 🥈Silver in women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
13. Ikechukwu Obichukwu – 🥈SIlver in medal in men’s Heavyweight Powerlifting
14. Odunayo Adekuoroye – 🏅Gold in women’s 57kg Freestyle wrestling
15. Blessing Oborududu – 🏅GOld in women’s 68kg Freestyle Wrestling
16. Esther Kolawole – 🥉Bronze in women’s 62kg freestyle wrestling
17. Eucharia Iyiazi – 🏅Gold in women’s F55-57 Shot Put
18. Ugochi Alam -🥉Bronze in women’s F55-57 Shot Put
19. Faith Obazuaye – 🥉Bronze women’s Singles Classes 6-10 Para Table
20. Miesinnei Mercy Genesis – Gold 🏅in women’s Wrestling Freestyle 50kg
21. Ebikewenimo Welson – 🥈Silver in men’s Freestyle 57kg Wrestling
22. Ogbonna John – 🥉Bronze in the men’s Freestyle 74kg
23. Ogunkunle Isau – 🥉Bronze in the Men’s Singles Classes 3-5 Para Table
24. Cynthia Ogunsemilore – 🥉Bronze in the women’s Boxing Lightweight
25. Hannah Rueben – 🥈 Silver medal in the 76kg women’s Wrestling
26. Nasiru Sule – 🥈 Silver Men’s Singles Classes 3-5 Para Table
27. Ifeanyi Onyekwere – 🥉Bronze in men’s boxing Super-heavyweight
28.Jacinta Umunnakwe – 🥉Bronze in the Women’s Middleweight event.
29. Ifechukwude Christiana IKPEOYI – 🥈 Silver in Women’s Para Table-Tennis
30. Favour Ofili – 🥈 Silver in women’s 200m

Team Nigeria Captain Blessing Oborududu clinched gold medal in Women’s Freestyle 68kg Wrestling event as she defeated Canada’s Linda Morais to win Nigeria’s 2nd medal in wrestling.

Oborududu, a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist did it in style as she beat the Canadian 5-1 (Points without the opponent scoring 1).

Star girl, Odunayo Adekuoroye also won gold in women’s 57kg for Team Nigeria, defeating her Indian opponent Anshu Malik 7-3 Points without the opponent scoring 1 to secure Nigeria’s first gold medal in wrestling on Friday.

Adekuoroye is still unbeaten since she won her first title in 2014.

In Women’s freestyle 62kg wrestling,
Esther Kolawole needed only 20 seconds to dispatch her Scottish opponent, Abbie Fountain to win bronze.

Tobi Amusan of Nigeria finished first (12.40 sec) in the Women’s 100m Hurdles, Round 1 Heat 3, to qualify for the final event, coming up on Sunday.

In another development,Nasiru Sule and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi are through to the final of their respective Table Tennis Singles Classes. Both won 3-1.

In Paralympic ,Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi defeated Sonalben Patel of (India) 3-1 to reach the final of the Para Table Tennis event.

In Table Tennis Doubles Round of 16,Amadi Omeh/Olajide Omotayo beat Guyana’s Shemar Britton and Christopher Franklin 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5

England’s Lawrence Okoye, who left athletics for American Football after London 2012, won his first senior medal with Commonwealth discus silver.

30 year old Okoye, returned to discus in 2019 after his NFL career ran out of steam.

He failed to make the final at last year’s Tokyo Olympics or the 2022 World Championships, but a 64.99m throw took him to the podium behind Australia’s Matthew Denny in Birmingham.

Okoye was one of the stars of London 2012, reaching the Olympic final and finishing the year with the fifth-furthest throw of the season.

However, the 20-year-old had other options. Instead of pursuing athletics, top-flight rugby union or a law degree at Oxford University, he signed a deal with NFL team the San Francisco 49ers.

He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, without ever making an appearance in a competitive game, before making his comeback to athletics.

Okoye told BBC Sport “It’s a massive breakthrough for me. I have doubted myself quite a bit so to do this means a lot,” said Okoye.

“Since I’ve come back, I’ve thrown massive in training and warm-ups but haven’t quite got it together in competitions.

“Today was a great step forward and hopefully in the Europeans, and moving forward to Paris, I can really unlock my potential.”

Okoye’s personal best remains a 68.24m effort from May 2012, and he has previously said he believes he can throw over 70m, a distance that would have won gold at the Tokyo Olympics as well as in Birmingham.

Nigeria’s hope of surpassing the feat achieved in 1994 seems to have been boosted with more success in Birmingham.

it was double delight for Team Nigeria as Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke the World Record in women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting event, lifting a series of: 130kg, 150kg & 155kg to score a cumulative 123.4 points, winning yet another GOLD medal for the country.

Bose Omolayo finished second behind her compatriot to make it a Nigerian 1-2. Omolayo lifted 145kg and scored 115.2 points to also get on the podium.

While in women discus,Nwachukwu Chiemerie won Gold in Discus with a new world record.
She threw 34.84 to set a new World Record and broke her own Record (World Record) that she achieved on March 20, 2022 in South Africa, when she threw 33.35.

She is ranked number 1 in the ongoing event.

In the men’s Para Powerlifting,Nnamdi Innocent won Bronze for Team Nigeria in Para Powerlifting lightweight category, while Obichukwu Ikechukwu close an eventful day with silver medal in men’s heavyweight category.

Nigeria’s Ogunkunle Isau defeated Raj Aravidan of India 3-1 to win his opponent in the men’s Para Table tennis game.

In Game 1, Ogunkunle won 11-9, game 2 ended 4-11 to India’s Raj while Ogunkunle won Game 3 and 4 with 11-6 and 11-8 score respectively.

There was no medal for Nigeria.Rosemary Chukwuma who finished 4th while Grace Nwokocha 5th in 100M

Elaine Thompson Herah of Jamaica emerged fastest woman in 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham clocking 10.95 seconds. 

This is her first individual Commonwealth Games medal. She is the Olympic champion, bronze medalist at the World Championship in Eugene, Oregon, USA few weeks ago and second fastest woman in history.

Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala won men’s 100 meters gold in 10.02 seconds beating Akani Simbine of South Africa.

Nigeria currently occupies 10th position on the Medal Table, comprising 3 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze.

On day four,medals were added from weightlifting and Discus throw.

Two medals from the Discus event.

Chioma Onyekwere became Commonwealth Games Discus champion to the surprise of many Nigerians.

She won Gold in the women’s Discus Throw, throwing a season best of 61.70m.

Her Compatriot Obiageri Amechi was able to take bronze also in the with a throw of 56.99m.

In weightlifting, Taiwo Laidi took home Silver in women’s 76Kg category.

The second medal from weightlifting was recorded by Mary Taiwo Osijo.

Osijo recorded a bronze medal in the Women’s 87kg Weightlifting with a combined lift of 225kg (102kg in Snatch, 123kg in Clean & Jerk).