2019 in Sports: Anthony Joshua came back from career suicide to become World Champion again

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their floc by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Contents

NigeriaEagles striker, Alex Iwobi makes last-minute move to Everton30 years after, Nigerians remember Sam OkwarajiSiasia appeals to FIFA, CAS over life ban from footballFIBA: President Buhari congratulates D’Tigers over Olympic qualificationForeignInter Milan signs Manchester United striker, Lukaku for £73mFloyd Mayweather tops list of greatest boxer in historyWreckage of Emiliano Sala’s Missing Plane FoundXenophobia: Zambia cancels SA FriendlySerena Williams trumps Wang Qiang To Reach US Open semi-finalsSamuel Eto’o Retires From FootballUS Open – Serena Williams loses to 19 year-old Bianca AndreescuFormer Burton and Antwerp defender Kelvin Maynard shot and killed in AmsterdamLionel Messi wins FIFA the Best votes for RonaldoIAAF: Dina Ahser-Smith wins 200 Meters goldNaomi Osaka beats World number one, Ashleigh Barty in China Open finalAnthony Joshua defeats Andy Ruiz to reclaim World Heavyweight Titles

Merry Christmas, World.

It’s that time of the year again, It’s Christmas, it’s the season of love, sharing and a time to reflect on the year and keep on eye on the coming year.

2019 has seen it all, it’s seen its fair share of great things, broken records, surprises, ups and downs and as usual, while some will drown themselves in the festivities with all kinds of assorted delicacies and drinking and wining to stupor some will go hungry and will barely afford a meal today but that’s just a fact of life that’s not peculiar to Nigeria as a nation or anywhere in particular.

We’ll come back to the festivities and all the fun and vices that come with it another time, for now, let’s look at some of the defining moments of 2019 in sport.

 

Nigeria

Jay Z signs Super Eagles star, Samuel Chukwueze, to Roc Nation Sport

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Chukwueze has been a breakout star at Spanish club Villareal. His standout performances week-in week-out earned him recognition from rapper Jay Z’s sport management agency ROC Nation Sports.

Eagles striker, Alex Iwobi makes last-minute move to Everton

Arsenal sold Nigerian Forward Alex Iwobi to Everton in the last hour of the last day of the summer transfer window.

30 years after, Nigerians remember Sam Okwaraji

Nigerians remembered icon Samuel Okwaraji on the 30th remembrance of his tragic death. Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Cross River Chapter released a statement on the occasion.

Siasia appeals to FIFA, CAS over life ban from football

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia was slammed with a life ban after admitting in an interview that he could take a bribe to fix a match. He appealed the ban but no response from FIFA has been reported.

FIBA: President Buhari congratulates D’Tigers over Olympic qualification

Nigerian Basketball team D’Tigers defeated Cote’D’ivore to reach the Olympic next year.

 

 

Foreign

Arsenal seal £72m deal for Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal broke the bank when they signed Nicholas Pepe from French side, LOSC Lille sending Gunners fans all over the world into widespread jubilation. Twitter was buzzing with the news of his announcement.

I’ll never play for PSG again – says Neymar, insists on Barca return

Brazilian Neymar Jr. tried to force a move from current club Paris Saint Germain back to his old club Barcelona in the summer. It was a bit of a scandalous and tense period. Barcelona sacrificed Phillipe Coutinho to try and raise the transfer fee for their former star but all effort proved abortive with Neymar left with no option but to continue in his current contract and try to mend broken ties with his teammates.

FIFA approves Women’s World Cup expansion to 32 teams in 2023

FIFA Women World Cup will now feature 32 teams beginning from the 2023 edition.

Manchester United sign England defender Maguire

Manchester United broke and set a new record for the costliest defender on parade when the poached Harry Maguire from Leicester City for a fee in the region of 81 million pounds.

Inter Milan signs Manchester United striker, Lukaku for £73m

After a limp version of success at Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan of Italy by manager Ole Gonner Solksjaer where he now enjoys success every week scoring at will.

Floyd Mayweather tops list of greatest boxer in history

Floyd Mayweather toppled Mohammed Ali as the all-time greatest boxer ever. The 42-year-old American won all his 50 professional bouts in his 21 years illustrious career.

Wreckage of Emiliano Sala’s Missing Plane Found

Emiliano Sala signed for Cardiff City and was en route to his new club when his plane crashed and the player didn’t survive the crash. It took nearly three months before his plane was located. It was a sad period in the history of football and in 2019.

Xenophobia: Zambia cancels SA Friendly

Xenophobia attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals led to the cancellation of this particular match. Xenophobia was the media agenda for about two months in Q4 2019.

Serena Williams trumps Wang Qiang To Reach US Open semi-finals

Serena Williams claimed her 100th win at the U.S Open in style in a year that saw her hit great heights again. She also launched her fashion line this year.

Samuel Eto’o Retires From Football

African football icon Samuel Eto’o retired from football. The Cameroonian has had an amazing career that saw him win every trophy but the World Cup. He was third in 2005 behind Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard in the Balon d’Or awards.

US Open – Serena Williams loses to 19 year-old Bianca Andreescu

In what has been a great year for American tennis icon Serena Williams she was stunned by 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu.

Former Burton and Antwerp defender Kelvin Maynard shot and killed in Amsterdam

Lionel Messi wins FIFA the Best votes for Ronaldo

Lionel Messi won FIFA the Best award this year even though he picked his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, over himself in the poles

IAAF: Dina Ahser-Smith wins 200 Meters gold

After bagging a silver at the 100m 23-year old Dina Ahser-Smith  sets British record by becoming the first Briton to win a world or Olympic title in history.

Naomi Osaka beats World number one, Ashleigh Barty in China Open final

After dropping to third in the World rankings, Naomi Osaka beats World number whom she relinquished her title to last year in China open final

Anthony Joshua defeats Andy Ruiz to reclaim World Heavyweight Titles

Anthony Joshua defeats Andy Ruiz in a rematch and revenge. The Nigerian won by unanimous decision to reclaim his World Heavyweight Titles.