According to Naij...takes a look at Nigeria’s comeback sport men
who defied the odds to return to the consciousness of
people.
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
sport 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
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
It never quite worked out out there but a move to Granada
and later Watford was all he needed to reestablish 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
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: London born Triple jump specialist, Tosin
Oke has been in obscurity recently. 2014 was not an
eventful year for the triple jump specialist 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.