Oshoala, Israel Adesanya makes ESPN's best 25 African athletes - Okocha, Mikel snubbed

David Ben 15:34 - 20 July 2024

Oshoala, Israel Adesanya makes ESPN's best 25 African athletes - Okocha, Mikel snubbed

Only five Nigerians made ESPN's list of the greatest African athletes of the 21st century.

ESPN recently released a list of a wide array of athletic talent across Africa, recognizing athletes who have made significant contributions in various sports.

Amongst the athletes who were recognized included Super Falcons of Nigeria star and six-time African women’s player of the year winner, Asisat Oshoala.

Asisat Oshoala is a 6-tme CAF player of the year winner | IMAGO

Oshoala is famous for her remarkable success at club and country level as well as her leadership in women's football in Africa.

Alongside Oshoala was also her predecessor Perpetua Nkwocha, who also made the list as arguably the greatest Super Falcons player of all time.

Perpetua Nkwocha | Instagram

Sports Gist

“Those ones no get level” — Asisat Oshoala brutally shades Chelsea over new home kit after losing 100,000 followers on Instagram

Also making ESPN’s shortlist was Nigerian-Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya.

Nicknamed ‘the last Stylebender’ Adesanya is widely considered as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the UFC middleweight division.

Adesanya is not shy to remind the world as UFC Middleweight champion that he is of Nigerian descent. Image Credit - ESPN MMA

Israel Adesanya | Image Credit - ESPN MMA

His influence in the mixed martial arts industry exemplifies the excellence and diversity of African athletes.

Like Oshoala, Adesanya was joined by Kamaru Usman on the list.

Kamaru Usman | IMAGO

Usman has already established himself as one of the most prominent fighters of the UFC lightweight division.

New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora, also made ESPN’s shortlist, having recorded tremendous success in the NFL.

New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora | IMAGO

Umenyiora spent much of his childhood in Nigeria and has continued his post-NFL career in Lagos as a talent developer.

Oshaola, Adesanya, Nkwocha, Usman, and Umenyiora were the only Nigerian athletes included in ESPN’s shortlist.

However, a few eyebrows were raised due to the surprising exclusion of two other legends in Nigerian sports.

Football

‘Old age catching up with me’ - 2013 AFCON winner Mikel Obi opens up on recent surgery

Okocha and Mikel Obi raise eyebrows over surprise omissions

African legend Jay Jay Okocha did not make ESPN's shortlist | Imago

ESPN’s list has sparked discussions due to the surprising omissions of Nigerian football legends Jay-Jay Okocha and John Obi Mikel.

Okocha, renowned for his flair and creativity on the field, and Mikel, celebrated for his success with Chelsea FC and the Nigerian national team, have both had illustrious careers.

Former Chelsea star Mikel Obi || Imago

Their absence from the list has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts about the criteria used for selection, questioning why these iconic figures were not included despite their substantial contributions to football.