Abuja, Nigeria – E be like say naija dey flex, as two sharp Nigerian footballers don land nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or! This year, di 69th ceremony go happen for September 22, 2025, for Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris. Wetin dem go wear? Naija no fit lose guard o!
Since di mid-1990s when na only Europe dey rule this award, Nigerians don dey gradually dey break ground like say dem na football demigods. Remember Finidi George wey collect 21st place in 1995? Na him Champions League victory with Ajax land am six votes. Guy don use style carry our flag wear top!
Meanwhile, Daniel Amokachi and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha also chop nomination for that 1995 year. Okocha sabi dance ball like say na him dey host party for pitch! And you fit no forget Nwankwo Kanu wey come 11th for 1996 (the highest placement wey naija don get at dat time), guy na Olympic champion. Na today Ope mi, mini Kanu, dey bring back wetin Kanu don try establish!
Fast forward to now, Victor Osimhen don waka enter record books as di highest placement for Nigerian male footballer – him finish 8th overall for 2023 after lead Napoli to dem first Serie A title in years. Na so e be! Plus, no forget Asisat Oshoala, wey dey show dem she sabi ball too, she don dey land nomination, making history as the first Nigerian woman join di Féminin shortlist.
Di Nigerian football story no go complete without olodo Ademola Lookman wey shine for Atalanta with hat-trick for Europa League and fine AFCON show. Naija football spirit dey come strongly, and now with how Nnadozie and Madugu don show face, we be like say our time to shine dey arrive for Ballon d’Or stage!
As we dey look forward to di ceremony, make we just dey pray for dem to make Naija proud. If dem fit win am, eh, we go scatter Lagos with celebration, trust me!
So my padi, make you get your palm wine ready, because we dey go swing all di way to Paris come September 2025. Wetin you dey wait for? Let’s show dem what Naija fit do!
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