Sporting Tribune goes back in time to relive the incredible sports events, stars that dominated 2022
January 2022
African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Opening with 24 teams chasing continental glory, unfortunately, the Super Eagles, despite starting strongly under Interim coach Austin Eguavoen, where they won all three group stage games against Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan, crashed out to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
It came down to the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Pharaohs of Egypt battling it out in the finals. With then-Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah leading as star men for their teams. Mane would end up victorious as he scored the winning penalty to hand Senegal the 2022 AFCON title.
March 2022
AFCON World Cup Qualifiers (3rd Round)
Nigeria vs Ghana: Eager to move past the disappointment of the AFCON in January, the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Black Stars of Ghana were pitted against each other in the final leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The first leg finished 0-0 in Accra, with all decisive match set for the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Unfortunately, the Super Eagles dropped a disappointing performance as the match ended 1-1 with Ghana qualifying on away goals.
Failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for Qatar led to a riotous stampede by angry Nigerian fans, which led to the death of a CAF official.
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Senegal vs Egypt: In a rematch of the January AFCON final, Senegal and Egypt squared up to each other seeking to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Also, the Egyptians were extra motivated following their loss in January.
Egypt took a 1-0 lead in the first leg held at the Cairo International Stadium, but 4 days later, Mane and Co caused another Egyptian upset at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade stadium. An own goal from Hamdi Fathi gave the Teranga Lions a 1-0 win in regulation time. With the winner to be decided by penalties.
In a repeat of the January final, Mane led Senegal to victory, unfortunately, the Bayern attacker would go on to miss the World Cup due to an injury suffered in the Bundesliga.
June 2022
African Championships, Mauritius
In June, Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan defended her 100 m hurdles title at the African Championships in Mauritius with a time of 12.57 s. She also competed in the women’s 4 × 100 m relay to earn a second gold medal.
Still, in June, Amusan also lowered her African record with a 12.41s finish at her specialist event at the Diamond League meet in Paris
July 2022
Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume dominate World Athletics Championship, Oregon
Nigerian sprinter Tobi Amusan held the world spellbound following her performances at the World Athletics Championship, Oregon. Amusan improved her earlier African record during the heats with a time of 12.40s. She would go one step further in the semi-finals, setting a new World Record of 12.12s.
Amusan saved best for the last, running an incredible 12.06s to become Nigeria’s first World champion at the WAC. Sadly her astounding finish was judged to be wind-assisted so it didn’t count as a new World Record.
Well, Tobi Amusan still holds the record, so nothing spoil.
Tobi Amusan surely grabbed the headlines in 2022, but close friend and fellow athlete, Ese Brume also stole the show in 2022.
She won Nigeria’s only medal at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships, a silver medal at the long jump event.
She added another silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, becoming the first African to win two Long Jump medals at the World Athletics Championships. Flying the Nigerian flag high alongside Tobi Amusan on a global stage.
August 2022
Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume continue dominance at CommonWealth Games, Birmingham
Not done with winning in style, Tobi Amusan successfully defended her title, winning her second consecutive gold medal in the 100m hurdles with a new Games record of 12.30s. She also helped power Nigeria’s women’s 4×100m relay team to gold.
Also Ese Brume shone At the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She picked gold at the women long jump event and also broke the game record in the event with her 7.00m jump. She holds new game record after breaking the record of Bronwyn Thompson of Australia who previously held the record with her 6.97m jump
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Other Events
After dominating the Commonwealth Games, Tobi Amusan finished second with a time of 12.60s in her specialist event at the Lausanne Diamond Race meet in August.
Amusan wrapped up her long and successful 2022 campaign by winning 100m hurdles at the Zürich Diamond League final with a time of 12.29s.
August 2022
Erling Haaland arrives Manchester City and wrecks Premier League scoring record
Manchester City prised highly-rated Norwegian striker from Borussia Dortmund and the rest as they say is history.
Premier League fans have widely regarded the PL as the most competitive league in Europe, where star players arrive and need time to settle, but goal-drunk Haaland has rubbished that notion, scoring goals for fun while setting a new Premier League goal record in the process.
The 22-year-old is currently in the form of his life, scoring 20 goals in 14 matches, becoming the quickest player to score 20 goals in Premier League history. For context, Mohamed Salah and Son Heung Min were jointly awarded the PL golden boot after scoring 23 goals in the 2021-22 season. With 23 more matches to go, it is definitely safe to crown Haaland “Obagoal”.
September 2022
Amaju Pinnick passes NFF baton to Ibrahim Gusau
After much back and forth, the NFF finally held its congress in Benin City to elect its new leadership, thanks to the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The congress ended with Amaju Pinnick passing the baton of leadership to Ibrahim Gusau. With the former still a member of the FIFA Council.
October 2022
The Nigerian U17 female football team, The Flamingoes made history during the FIFA U17 World Cup where they reached the semi-finals for the first time. Defeating the USA 4-3 on penalties.
Unfortunately, the flamingoes would crash out in the semis against Colombia. They wrapped up a highly successful tournament by winning bronze in the third-place match.
November 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Pier Morgan
Cristiano’s big money move to Al Nassr certainly rules the airwaves now, but a month ago it was his 4-part explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he dragged everyone including Manchester United, The Glazer family, Erik ten Hag, former interim boss Ralf Rangnick, United’s Youth players. Even Wayne Rooney wasn’t spared from Ronaldo’s fury.
In the interview, Ronaldo stated how he had no respect for manager ten Hag, because he felt disrespected by him.
The interview ultimately led to the ‘mutual termination of Ronaldo’s Man United contract, paving the way for a massive payday in Saudi Arabia.
2022 National Sports Festival
Delta state hosted and dominated what has been described as teh best National Sports Festival in Asaba.
Staged at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Delta led the medals table with 320 gold, 200 silver, and 128 bronze medals.’
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Already being touted as the most memorable World Cup in history, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 had everything in store.
It will be remembered as the one that sealed Lionel Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest ever to have played the game.
The 32-team festival culminated with memorable moments, teams, and personalities. Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina 2-1 became the first of many upsets, with Germany failing to qualify for the round of 16 for consecutive World Cups.
Atlas Lions of Morocco won the hearts of all fans with their fairy tale run where they defeated European heavyweights Belgium, Portugal, and Spain.
The World Cup produced arguably the greatest Final ever which saw France recover from 2-0 down to push the game into extra-time. Then with Argentina winning 3-2, Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to then force a penalty shootout.
Ultimately, the defending champions couldn’t overcome La Albiceleste as it seemed written in the stars that Messi should be crowned World Champion.
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