🏅 Athletes

Tiv athletes

Football has been the leading sport in Tivland for generations. Benue State's clubs, above all BCC Lions of Gboko, gave many Tiv players their start before they moved on to national and international careers. Tiv sportsmen and sportswomen have since represented Nigeria at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cups. Members of the diaspora have reached the top of professional sport in Europe and the United States.

Who is profiled here

Players from the home game include Moses Kpakor, who helped the Super Eagles to silver at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, and Amir Angwe, who died on the pitch during a continental club match. There are also Super Eagles strikers Barnabas Imenger Jr and Gift Orban, Portland Timbers' record goalscorer Fanendo Adi, and Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega. Two father-and-son pairs feature: Dominic Iorfa Sr and Jr, and the Imenger family. Beyond football, the category profiles basketball player Jeff Varem, professional wrestler Apollo Crews (born Sesugh Uhaa) and international referee Mimisen Iyorhe.

Help grow this category

Many fine Tiv athletes played before television and the internet made careers easy to follow, and their records survive mainly in newspapers and memory. If you know of a Tiv athlete, coach or official whose story should be told, in football or in athletics, wrestling, boxing or any other sport, please send their details through the contribution form.