2015 in review: FIVE Nigerians Who Turned Around Their Woes To Become Mega Stars

While the likes of Emmanuel Emenike never recovered the spark that endeared them to Nigeria in previous years, others were able to reinvent themselves to return to the sports scene in Nigeria.

 1. Obafemi Martins: Though he has been a star in the MLS in America for the past few years, Martins is on this list for making his comeback to the Super Eagles.
Obafemi Martins returned from exile against Swaziland
Obafemi Martins returned from exile against Swaziland
After almost two years in exile, Martins returned and his cameo appearances against Swaziland were met with critical acclaim. Emmanuel Emenike’s retirement was part of the reason why he could return to the scene.

2. Odion Ighalo: Those familiar with the Italian League will remember when Ighalo was tipped to be the next striker for Nigeria during his stint atUdinese.
Odion Ighalo seems unhappy here, he just missed out on the EPL Player of the month award
It never quite worked out out there but a move to Granada and later Watford was all he needed to re-establish himself. 2015 has been quite the year for the 26-year-old who finally made his debut and scored in a year he won promotion to the Premier League with Watford and is already a contender for player of the season.

3. Khadiri Ikhana: Like Martins, Ikhana has been here forever. Supa Strikas comic book fans will remember his name as the evil coach of Invincible United. Well this Ikhana is different. After cementing his status as a top coach with the Enyimba back in 2002 with a CAF Champions League title, he came back with a bang with Enyimba by leading the team to the Nigeria Professional Football League title in 2015.
Coach Kadiri Ikhana of Enyimba
Coach Kadiri Ikhana of Enyimba
He has already been linked with the exit door at the Aba based team but there is no doubt this is one coach teams will be lining up to sign.

4. Tosin Oke: The London-born triple jump specialist, Tosin Oke, has been in obscurity recently. 2014 was not an eventful year for Oke whose best was silver at the African Championships and Commonwealth games.
However he came back with a bang in the 2015 All Africa Games winning gold in a superb showing.

5. Amaka Ogoegbunam: Amaka won gold at the 2015 All Africa Games in the 400m hurdles event. Ogoegbunam tested positive for the anabolic steroid metenolone at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships in sample collected on 31 July 2009.

Amaka Ogoegbunam
She subsequently received a 3-year doping ban from sports, at the age of 19. The ban ended 30 July 2012.
Share on Google Plus
    Blogger Comment
    Facebook Comment

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Blogger Wordpress Tips