Nigeria at the
2004 Summer Olympics
IOC codeNGR
NOCNigeria Olympic Committee
Websitewww.nigeriaolympiccommittee.org
in Athens
Competitors72 in 10 sports
Flag bearer Mary Onyali-Omagbemi[1]
Medals
Ranked 68th
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
2
Total
2
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

Nigeria competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. This was the nation's thirteenth appearance at the Olympics, except the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, because of the African boycott. Nigerian Olympic Committee sent a total of 72 athletes, 24 men and 48 women, to the Games to compete in 10 sports. For the first time in its Olympic history, Nigeria was represented by more female than male athletes. Women's basketball and women's football were the only team-based sports in which Nigeria had its representation at these Games. There was only a single competitor in men's freestyle wrestling.

Fifteen athletes from the Nigerian team had previously competed in Sydney, including five football players from the women's squad and Olympic silver medalist Enefiok Udo-Obong in the men's 4 × 400 m relay. At age 36, sprinter Mary Onyali-Omagbemi became the first Nigerian athlete to compete in fifth Olympic Games, while table tennis players Segun Toriola and Bose Kaffo followed Onyali's footsteps to fulfill their fourth Olympic bid in Athens. For being the oldest and most experienced athlete of the team, Onyali reprised her role to carry the Nigerian flag in the opening ceremony for the second time since 1996.[1]

Nigeria left Athens with only two Olympic bronze medals, all from the men's 4 × 100 m relay (led by Deji Aliu) and 4 × 400 m relay teams (led by Udo-Obong).[2]

Medalists

Further information: 2004 Summer Olympics medal table and List of 2004 Summer Olympics medal winners
Medal Name Sport Event Date
 Bronze Deji Aliu
Aaron Egbele
Uchenna Emedolu
Olusoji Fasuba		 Athletics Men's 4 × 100 m relay August 28
 Bronze Musa Audu
James Godday
Enefiok Udo-Obong
Saul Weigopwa		 Athletics Men's 4 × 400 m relay August 28

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Nigerian athletes have so far achieved qualifying standards in the following athletics events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event at the 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard).[3][4]

Key
Men
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Deji Aliu 100 m 10.39 1 Q 10.26 5 Did not advance
Uchenna Emedolu 10.22 2 Q 10.15 3 Q 10.35 8 Did not advance
Saul Weigopwa 400 m 45.59 3 q — 45.67 6 Did not advance
Deji Aliu
Aaron Egbele
Uchenna Emedolu
Olusoji Fasuba 		4 × 100 m relay 38.27 1 Q — 38.23 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Musa Audu
James Godday
Enefiok Udo-Obong
Saul Weigopwa 		4 × 400 m relay 3:01.60 2 Q — 3:00.90 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Women
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Mercy Nku 100 m 11.37 4 q 11.39 5 Did not advance
Endurance Ojokolo 11.36 2 Q 11.35 5 Did not advance
Mary Onyali-Omagbemi 200 m 23.37 6 q 23.75 8 Did not advance
Gloria Kemasuode
Mercy Nku
Oludamola Osayomi
Endurance Ojokolo 		4 × 100 m relay 43.00 4 q — 43.42 7
Christy Ekpukhon
Halimat Ismaila
Ngozi Cynthia Nwokocha
Gloria Amuche Nwosu 		4 × 400 m relay 3:30.78 8 — Did not advance

Basketball

Main article: Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Women's tournament

Main article: Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament
Roster

The following is the Nigeria roster in the women's basketball tournament of the 2004 Summer Olympics.[5]

Nigeria women's national basketball team – 2004 Summer Olympics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
G 4 Umoh Itoro 27 – (1977-02-21)21 February 1977 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Clemson University United States
F 5 Joanne Aluka 25 – (1979-04-26)26 April 1979 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) GD Gafanha da Nazaré Portugal
G 6 Mobolaji Akiode 22 – (1982-05-12)12 May 1982 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Pully Basket Switzerland
G 7 Juliana Negedu 25 – (1979-07-31)31 July 1979 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Aris Thivas Greece
F/C 8 Ugo Oha 22 – (1982-07-18)18 July 1982 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) George Washington University United States
F 9 Aisha Mohammed 18 – (1985-10-21)21 October 1985 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) First Bank Nigeria
G/F 10 Nguveren Iyorhe 23 – (1981-06-09)9 June 1981 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) First Bank Nigeria
F 11 Mfon Udoka 28 – (1976-06-16)16 June 1976 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Houston Comets United States
F 12 Rashidat Sadiq 23 – (1981-01-03)3 January 1981 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) University of Connecticut United States
G 13 Mactabene Amachree 26 – (1978-01-30)30 January 1978 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Istanbul University Turkey
C 14 Taiwo Rafiu 32 – (1972-06-18)18 June 1972 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Kookmni Bank Nigeria
C 15 Linda Ogugua 26 – (1978-04-12)12 April 1978 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Biola University United States
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • nat field describes country
    of last club
    before the tournament
  • Age as of August 13, 2004
Group play
Pos Team
 Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Australia 5 5 0 418 313 +105 10 Quarterfinals
2  Russia 5 4 1 389 333 +56 9
3  Brazil 5 3 2 430 361 +69 8
4  Greece (H) 5 2 3 353 392 −39 7
5  Japan 5 1 4 381 485 −104 6
6  Nigeria 5 0 5 335 422 −87 5
Source: FIBA archive
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal average; 4) head-to-head number of points scored.
(H) Hosts
14 August 2004
9:00
Australia  85–73  Nigeria
Scoring by quarter: 20–18, 26–14, 16–12, 23–29
Pts: Batkovic, Taylor 11
Rebs: Batkovic 7
Asts: Fallon, Harrower 4		 Pts: Udoka 26
Rebs: Amachree, Sadiq 8
Asts: Umoh 2
Helliniko Indoor Arena, Athens
Attendance: 302
Referees:
Philippe Leemann (France)
Valdu Suurkask (Estonia)
16 August 2004
11:15
Nigeria  73–79  Japan
Scoring by quarter: 22–22, 24–23, 16–20, 11–14
Pts: Udoka 19
Rebs: Udoka 16
Asts: Four players 1		 Pts: Yano 21
Rebs: Kusuda, Yano 6
Asts: Kusuda, Hamaguchi 4
Olympic Indoor Hall, Athens
Attendance: 400
Referees:
Elizabeth Sisk (United States)
Dallas Pickering (New Zealand)
18 August 2004
16:45
Greece  83–68  Nigeria
Scoring by quarter: 30–15, 15–14, 20–15, 18–24
Pts: Kostaki 25
Rebs: Maltsi, Saregkou 8
Asts: Kostaki 4		 Pts: Udoka 28
Rebs: Udoka 18
Asts: Amachree, Iyorhe 1
Helliniko Indoor Arena, Athens
Attendance: 2,300
Referees:
Scott Butler (Australia)
Nancy Ethier (Canada)
20 August 2004
22:15
Nigeria  63–82  Brazil
Scoring by quarter: 19–33, 15–14, 12–11, 17–24
Pts: Udoka 17
Rebs: Udoka 7
Asts: Amachree, Udoka 2		 Pts: Castro Marques 26
Rebs: de Souza 8
Asts: Castro Marques 6
Helliniko Indoor Arena, Athens
Attendance: 2,500
Referees:
Mike Homsy (Canada)
Song Yangping (China)
22 August 2004
11:15
Nigeria  58–93  Russia
Scoring by quarter: 14–23, 17–20, 15–21, 12–29
Pts: Udoka 19
Rebs: Mohammed 8
Asts: Akiode, Umoh 3		 Pts: Rakhmatulina 15
Rebs: Baranova 8
Asts: Karpova, Rakhmatulina 3
Helliniko Indoor Arena, Athens
Attendance: 382
Referees:
Dallas Pickering (New Zealand)
Shoko Suguro (Japan)
Classification match (11th–12th place)
24 August 2004
9:00
11th place
Nigeria  68–64  South Korea
Scoring by quarter: 16–16, 13–16, 21–12, 18–20
Pts: Udoka 21
Rebs: Mohammed 13
Asts: Umoh 2		 Pts: Kim Y. 19
Rebs: Lee M. 12
Asts: Lee M. 7
Helliniko Indoor Arena, Athens
Attendance: 155
Referees:
Philippe Leemann (Switzerland)
Chantal Julien (France)

Boxing

Main article: Boxing at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Nigeria sent seven boxers to Athens. Five lost their first matches, while the other two made it to the quarterfinals (one with two wins, the other with a bye and a win) before being defeated.

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Effiong Okon Light flyweight  Pinto (ITA)
L RSC 		Did not advance
Nestor Bolum Bantamweight  Ngnitedem (GAB)
W 23–17 		 Prasad (IND)
W RSC 		 Petchkoom (THA)
L 14–29 		Did not advance
Muideen Ganiyu Featherweight Bye  Ikgopoleng (BOT)
W 25–16 		 Kim S-G (PRK)
L 11–32 		Did not advance
Ahmed Sadiq Lightweight  Kindelán (CUB)
L RSC 		Did not advance
Isaac Ekpo Light heavyweight  Haydarov (UZB)
L 11–21 		Did not advance
Emmanuel Izonritei Heavyweight —  Al Shami (SYR)
L 17–30 		Did not advance
Gbenga Oluokun Super heavyweight —  Cammarelle (ITA)
L 13–29 		Did not advance

Football

Main article: Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Women's tournament

Main article: Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament

The Nigerian team qualified for the Olympics after defeating Ghana on penalties and edging South Africa in a two-leg playoff.[6]

Roster

Head coach: Mabo Ismaila

Nigeria named a squad of 18 players and 4 alternates for the tournament.[7]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Precious Dede (1980-01-18)18 January 1980 (aged 24) 12 0 Nigeria Delta Queens
2 3MF Efioanwan Ekpo (1984-01-25)25 January 1984 (aged 20) 20 3 Nigeria Pelican Stars
3 2DF Felicia Eze (1974-09-27)27 September 1974 (aged 29) Nigeria Delta Queens
4 4FW Perpetua Nkwocha (1976-01-03)3 January 1976 (aged 28) 30 10 Nigeria Pelican Stars
5 3MF Ajuma Ameh (1984-12-01)1 December 1984 (aged 19) Nigeria Pelican Stars
6 2DF Faith Ikidi (1987-02-28)28 February 1987 (aged 17) 2 0 Nigeria Bayelsa Queens
7 4FW Stella Mbachu (1978-04-16)16 April 1978 (aged 26) 55 25 China Tianjin Teda F.C.
8 3MF Rita Nwadike (captain) (1974-11-03)3 November 1974 (aged 29) Nigeria Rivers Angels
9 4FW Blessing Igbojionu (1982-09-26)26 September 1982 (aged 21) Nigeria Pelican Stars
10 4FW Mercy Akide (1975-08-26)26 August 1975 (aged 28) 78 0 United States Hampton Roads Piranhas
11 4FW Vera Okolo (1985-01-05)5 January 1985 (aged 19) 4 14 Nigeria Delta Queens
12 2DF Celestina Onyeka (1984-07-15)15 July 1984 (aged 20) Nigeria Pelican Stars
13 2DF Yinka Kudaisi (1975-08-25)25 August 1975 (aged 28) Nigeria Pelican Stars
14 2DF Akudo Sabi (1986-11-17)17 November 1986 (aged 17) 14 6 Nigeria Bayelsa Queens
15 3MF Maureen Mmadu (1975-05-07)7 May 1975 (aged 29) 68 0 Norway Amazon Grimstad
16 4FW Nkechi Egbe (1978-02-05)5 February 1978 (aged 26) 35 15 Nigeria Delta Queens
17 2DF Chima Nwosu (1986-05-12)12 May 1986 (aged 18) Nigeria Inneh Queens
18 1GK Ogechi Onyinanya (1985-05-26)26 May 1985 (aged 19) Nigeria Pelican Stars
Group play
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Sweden 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 Qualified for the quarterfinals
2  Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3  Japan 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Source:[citation needed]
Japan 0 – 1 Nigeria
Report Okolo 55'
Karaiskaki Stadium, Piraeus
Attendance: 14.126
Referee: Ferreira-James (Guyana)
Sweden 2 – 1 Nigeria
Marklund 68'
Moström 73'		 Report Akide 25'
Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos
Attendance: 21.597
Referee: de Oliveira (Brazil)
Quarterfinals
Germany 2 – 1 Nigeria
Jones 76'
Pohlers 81'		 Report Akide 49'
Pampeloponnisiako Stadium, Patras
Attendance: 2.531
Referee: D'Coth (India)

Judo

Main article: Judo at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Two Nigerian judoka (one man and one woman) qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Repechage 3 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Chukwuemeka Onyemachi Men's +100 kg  Hernandes (BRA)
L 0000–0100 		Did not advance
Catherine Ekuta Women's −57 kg Bye  Göldi (SUI)
L 0000–1010 		Did not advance

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Eric Williams 100 m breaststroke 1:07.69 53 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Lenient Obia 100 m backstroke 1:09.65 39 Did not advance

Table tennis

Main article: Table tennis at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Eight Nigerian table tennis players qualified for the following events.

Men
Athlete Event Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Monday Merotohun Singles  Babunugu (COD)
W 4–0 		 Persson (SWE)
L 1–4 		Did not advance
Segun Toriola  Tabachnik (ARG)
W 4–1 		 Chila (FRA)
L 2–4 		Did not advance
Peter Akinlabi
Kazeem Nosiru 		Doubles —  Papic /
Rodríguez (CHI)
W 4–1 		 Maze /
Tugwell (DEN)
L 2–4 		Did not advance
Monday Merotohun
Segun Toriola 		—  Hazinski /
Lupulesku (USA)
L 0–4 		Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Cecilia Offiong Singles  Silva (BRA)
W 4–1 		 Kim Y-M (PRK)
L 0–4 		Did not advance
Olufunke Oshonaike  Rodriguez (CHI)
W 4–0 		 Tóth (HUN)
L 2–4 		Did not advance
Offiong Edem
Cecilia Offiong 		Doubles Bye  Fadeyeva /
Melnik (RUS)
L 3–4 		Did not advance
Bose Kaffo
Olufunke Oshonaike 		Bye  Stefanova /
Tan Wl (ITA)
L 3–4 		Did not advance

Taekwondo

Main article: Taekwondo at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Three Nigerian taekwondo jin qualified for the following events.

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Jacob Obiorah Men's −80 kg  Hamdouni (TUN)
L 11–16 		Did not advance
Chika Chukwumerije Men's +80 kg  Gentil (FRA)
L 0–2 		Did not advance
Princess Dudu Women's +67 kg  Dawani (JOR)
L 9–12 		Did not advance

Weightlifting

Main article: Weightlifting at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Two Nigerian weightlifters qualified for the following events:

Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
Blessed Udoh Women's −48 kg 75 =12 105 =6 180 7
Franca Gbodo Women's −58 kg 95 =6 117.5 =10 212.5 10

Wrestling

Main article: Wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Key:

Men's freestyle
Athlete Event Elimination Pool Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Fred Jessey −66 kg  Baek J-K (KOR)
L 1–3 PP 		 Ikematsu (JPN)
L 0–5 VT 		3 Did not advance 20

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Odigbo, Uzur (21 July 2004). "Ministry approves new Olympics role for Onyali". Biafra Nigeria World. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Athens 2004: Nigeria takes Bronze in 4×400 relay". Naija.net. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  3. ^ "iaaf.org – Top Lists". IAAF. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  4. ^ "IAAF Games of the XXX Olympiad – Athens 2004 Entry Standards". IAAF. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Women's Basketball Team Roster – Nigeria (NGR)" (PDF). 2004 Athens. LA84 Foundation. 9 April 2014. p. 11.
  6. ^ "Games of the XXVIII Olympiad Football Qualifying Tournament". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 13 March 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  7. ^ "Nigeria – Squad List". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2020.

External links

National Olympic Committees at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece
Categories