The 2024-25 NFL season came to an end with a lopsided Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night in New Orleans (the early hours of the morning in Africa).
The two teams had competed in the Super Bowl two years prior, with the Chiefs winning and then defending their title the following year against the San Francisco 49ers. However, this time, the Eagles spoiled the three-peat party, winning 40-22.
For Nigerian-American defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, it was a double dream come true. The 23-year-old celebrated the Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs three weeks after picking up his first career sack against the Los Angeles Rams.
That sack features among our seven favourite moments of the season by African players.
Kene Nwangwu's 99-yard touchdown (Week 13: Jets vs Seahawks)
The New York Jets had a dismal season, but one of the brightest moments came in week 13 as Kene Nwangwu - a first-generation Nigerian-American - scored a touchdown off a 99-yard kick-return. He made a total of three returns in that game for 157 yards and also forced a fumble.
It was a particularly memorable day for Nwangwu because it was his Jets debut. He had been on their practice squad after failing his physical at the New Orleans Saints. The former Iowa State running back was in need of a moment to reinvigorate his career after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings in August.
To say he delivered would be an understatement - although he only featured once more in 2024, against the Miami Dolphins.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine's 98-yard touchdown (Week 11: Titans vs Vikings)
Westbrook-Ikhine, of Nigerian descent, made history with a stunning 98-yard touchdown catch - the longest of the NFL season.
The Titans were down 16-3 when Will Levis found Westbrook-Ikhine, who timed his run perfectly down the right sideline. He kept his balance while beating Josh Metellus to the ball before sprinting clear to the end zone.
The play matched the longest touchdown pass in Titans history, tying the record set on 25 November 1962, when Jacky Lee connected with Willard Dewveall.
Dare Ogunbowale's game-winning touchdown (Week 4: Texans vs Jaguars)
Ogunbowale, born to Nigerian parents, sealed the Texans' 24-20 victory over his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the game-winning touchdown.
Trailing 20-17 and at 2nd & goal, Houston snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when running back Ogunbowale slipped into the corner and caught C.J. Stroud's pass for the decisive score with 18 seconds remaining.
The moment was even more special for Ogunbowale. Not only did it come against the team he played for in 2020-21, but his sister, Arike Ogunbowale - Dallas Wings star and recent two-time All-Star Game MVP - was there to celebrate with him.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo's 70-yard touchdown (Week 12: Titans vs Texans)
Born into a Nigerian family in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he grew up, Okonkwo made a stunning 70-yard touchdown reception to help the Titans secure a 32-27 victory over the Houston Texans.
The Texans had taken a 27-23 lead early in the fourth quarter after Ka'imi Fairbairn's field goal with under 10 minutes left.
Okonkwo exploited a defensive lapse to find space for a pass from Will Levis. Gaining momentum, he evaded a tackle and sprinted all the way to the end zone, putting the Titans ahead at a pivotal moment. They held onto the lead for the remainder of the game.
It was Okonkwo's only reception of the night, but the tight end made it count.
Moro Ojomo's sack in the snow (Divisional Round: Eagles vs Rams)
Although he played a role in bringing down Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in October, Ojomo had never officially been credited with a sack in his NFL career heading into the playoffs.
In the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams, that changed as he pinned down Matthew Stafford in the snow. The Eagles led 22-15 at that point midway through the fourth quarter.
They went on to win the game 28-22 and go all the way to the championship. Given that his first career sack came in a must-win game decided by a tight margin, the former Texas Longhorns star could hardly have wished for a better moment in which to send a message to the NFL: in 2025, he is going to be one to watch.
Nnamdi Madubuike torments Joe Burrow (Week 10: Ravens vs Bengals)
Madubuike was the star of the Ravens' thrilling 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. He racked up five tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and 10 pressures.
All three of his sacks came in the second and third quarters - a stretch where the Bengals largely had the upper hand. Despite their dominance for much of the game, Cincinnati struggled to capitalize, thanks in large part to Madubuike's disruption.
Madubuike's third sack of the game was the most impressive, as he effortlessly shrugged off Cordell Volson and delivered a powerful hit on Burrow, driving him back six yards late in the third quarter.
At the time, the Bengals led 21-14 and were pushing for another score to extend their advantage before the break. However, Madubuike crushed those hopes, halting their momentum with a game-changing play.
Even with the Bengals applying pressure and exposing weaknesses in the Ravens' defence, they couldn't convert enough of their opportunities into points. That set the stage for Baltimore's fourth-quarter fightback, and Madubuike played a crucial role in making it happen.
His performance on that day arguably altered the course of the Bengals' entire season, as they missed out on the playoffs by a single win.
Matt Judon's pick-six (Week 16: Falcons vs Giants)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Matt Judon has family ties to Burundi. He scored his first ever touchdown in week 16 as he intercepted a pass from Drew Lock and ran it back 27 yards for the pick-six.
The Falcons dominated in a 34-7 win as Judon also picked up a sack in a superb all-round performance. The Falcons fell narrowly short of qualification for the postseason, but at least Judon gave their fans a moment to remember.