A late penalty converted by the captain of the Nigeria U20 team Daniel Bameyi helped the team to a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia in a five goal thriller at the ongoing U20 World Cup in Chile, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

A well weighted cross from Sani Suleiman, who was handed a start after coming on as a substitute in the first game against Norway landed beautifully for midfielder Nasiru Salihu to score Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament in the 10th minute.

The lead didn’t last for long before the Asians were back on level terms in the 21st minute through Amar Alyuhaybi. Nigeria however ended the half with a 2-1 lead when Amos Ochoche scored with the outside of his boot seven minutes before the break.

Nigeria were caught on the backfoot again six minutes into the second half, Talal Haji drew Saudi Arabia level with a header that caught the Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt out of his line.

A handball four minutes from full time earned Nigeria a spot kick, which was converted by captain of the team Bameyi who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for a 3-2 win for Nigeria.

They will need to avoid defeat against Colombia on Monday to be sure of a spot in the round of 16.

The secretary of Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Mokhosi Mohapi says the late decision by world football governing body FIFA to deduct three points from South Africa hampered their chances of making it to the world cup.

South Africa fielded an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, when he was supposed to be suspended after picking up two bookings in previous games.

FIFA waited until last week before formally deciding to apply sanction on South Africa by handing all three points to Lesotho on a 3-0 win. Mohapi said he feels fulfilled but lamented the lateness of the decision.

He felt the sanction should have come sooner to give them a better chance of pushing for a top-two finish. “FIFA has done well to respect its own regulations. We had always maintained that our pursuit of this case had nothing to do with South Africa,” Mohapi told the Sowetan.

“Lesotho is a bona fide member of FIFA and we played the rightful role to ensure the football rules are respected. We are happy to have been vindicated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Former South Africa football chief who is now an arbiter with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Raymond Hack says South Africa are wasting their time lodging an appeal for the three points deduction in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

FIFA deducted three points from their points tally in the world cup qualifiers after finding them guilty of fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March. The three points were awarded to Lesotho on a 3-0 scoreline.

South Africa were however handed an opportunity to appeal the verdict, and they confirmed in a statement that they will be taking up that route using the ten days window provided for it. Hack however termed it as a waste of time and resources.

Hack has previously served as SAFA CEO from 2006-2010 and served FIFA in various roles. Most recently, his term as chairman of the Players Status Committee ended in 2021. He was a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee from 2008-2016.

“I have never, ever heard of a situation where the appeal board overturned a decision of the Disciplinary [Committee) in regard to an ineligible player… It was an illegal situation. You cannot benefit. That’s the law in any situation,” Hack, currently a chair of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee, told ESPN.

If you did something wrong, you can’t reap the benefits… It’s as simple as that – otherwise, there’s no equity in sport. [Imagine saying]: ‘I took a drug, but I wasn’t caught. Therefore, it’s ok.’ You cannot do that,” he said.

“It certainly won’t drag out. It will be quick. Personally – it’s only my opinion – I doubt it will even be heard on the basis of [the FIFA Appeal Committee deciding]: ‘We’re going to overturn it.’ You can’t overturn an illegal situation.”

He said claims by SAFA that the sanction was handed out by “a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments” was without merit.

“FIFA are entitled to appoint whoever they want. They have a panel of people who sit on the disciplinary committee. The chairperson is entitled to make a judgement on his own. I’ve done that numerous times while I was on the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and it’s up to them to determine,” Hack said.

He said the statement issued by SAFA on their plans to appeal the judgement in ten days was misleading as it makes no mention of the fact that they only have three days to file their initial notice of intent to appeal – albeit with a subsequent window of a week in which to submit full written reasons for it.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

First, Victor Osimhen, and now Victor Boniface. The summer of 2025 has been an active one for Nigerian strikers. The former made his move to Galatasaray on a permanent basis just a few months ago after a goal-laden loan spell in Istanbul last season, and he did so for a Turkish record transfer fee of over €70 million. Unfortunately, the latter will no longer pen a dream move to the San Siro.

Milan Pull the Plug

AC Milan’s potential €25 million signing of the Bayer Leverkusen hitman was supposed to reignite the Rossoneri’s impotent attack. Unfortunately for both the Italian giants and Boniface himself, the move has instead sputtered out as quickly as it sparked, leaving both the Nigerian striker and fans of the Rossoneri grappling with a reality all too familiar in recent times.

There can be no denying that both current club Leverkusen and potential suitors Milan could do with a striker of Boniface’s caliber leading their line. Both sides opened their 2025/26 season with disappointing home defeats to lowly opposition. The Italians were stunned by newly promoted Cremonense, while Erik ten Hag’s Die Werkself looked void of ideas in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim, a team that barely avoided the Bundesliga trap door last term.

The recent developments in another of this summer’s wild transfer sagas leave all three parties – Boniface, Leverkusen, and Milan – at a crossroads. So, what happens next?

The Leverkusen Return

Boniface’s suitcase will remain in Germany. Contracted to Bayer Leverkusen through 2028, he’s been given neither a reprieve nor a restart—just another mountain to climb within the former Bundesliga champions’ already loaded attacking stable.

Two seasons ago, the Nigerian striker was the star of the show for arguably the greatest team German football has ever assembled. Under Xabi Alonso, Die Werkself claimed an invincible domestic double, something that the country’s most successful club, Bayern Munich, has never been able to achieve, despite all their silverware.

In fact, had it not been for defeat in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final to Atalanta, Leverkusen may well have been considered one of the greatest soccer teams of all time, alongside Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Barcelona sides. Unfortunately, though, Ademola Lookman’s hat trick in Dublin put an end to the dream of the invincible treble and any whispers of being the greatest.

Now, Boniface has to rediscover the form and fitness that fired Leverkusen to both the Meisterschale and the Pokal two years ago. 2025 has not been the year that he, nor former manager Xabi Alonso, would have hoped for, and it shows. The striker started just 4 of 16 league matches throughout the second half of last season, a haunting number that ultimately saw Die Werkself surrender their Bundesliga crown back to the Bavarians. Boniface now has to prove that he can regain his best form.

What Went Wrong?

Look no further than the medical room for an explanation for Milan’s abrupt withdrawal. Boniface—two-time victim of ACL ruptures in 2019 and 2020—failed his Milan physical on account of nagging, possibly chronic, knee problems. As a result, the Italians feel that the striker’s robust style has left him a medical risk, with his most precious asset—his explosiveness—now under perpetual surveillance. Add recent muscle niggles and whispers that a personal training program may have aggravated matters, and the story gains greater complexity.

Yet this is football’s new normal. In an era when transfer fees and salary commitments run into tens of millions, medical evaluations are less formal and more gladiator’s gate—a hard threshold few clubs dare cross without watertight assurances. For a club weathered by its own transfer mishaps, Milan’s withdrawal is less heartbreak and more strategic self-preservation.

The Market Remains Intrigued

Yet football is nothing if not a paradox. Boniface’s injury record might sound a warning, but the market remains fascinated. How could it not? The Super Eagle currently scores at a rate better than one-in-two, and when he’s fit, he’s a match-winner. Electric off-the-ball movement, brute physicality, and a nose for goal—all qualities in short supply at the highest level—have Premier League clubs circling, while the riches of Saudi Arabia are also thought to be an option.

Boniface’s Mindset

Some players shrink from adversity. Boniface embraces it, if his response is any guide. He took to social media, not hiding, but confronting: “I had a knee injury twice on my right leg, and it has been there for a long time.” Brutally honest. In an arena of platitudes and veiled optimism, Boniface’s candor has won him admirers. His followers, particularly in Nigeria, have rallied behind his refusal to be defined by setbacks.

If there’s a route out of this thicket, it lies through the pitch itself. For Leverkusen, Boniface has more than a point to prove. Consistency will be his currency—turning minutes into moments, moments into matches, and matches into momentum. It’s a tall order, but football has a long memory for comebacks.

Freshly capped Nigeria international defender Felix Agu has joined the Super Eagles duo of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika as injury doubts ahead of the world cup qualifiers games in October, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Agu who was capped by Nigeria in the Unity Cup friendly tournament after agreeing to switch from Germany didn’t play in the last round of games against Rwanda and South Africa respectively.

With Ola Aina out Injured, Agu was hoping to get his first competitive action in the October window in the games against Lesotho and Benin Republic respectively, but a report by German publication Bild says he got injured during training with Werder Bremen which means he is now in a race against time to be fit for the games.

“A short time later, Felix Agu (26) suffered an unfortunate injury to his left shin after a tackle. The Nigerian international watched the session from his golf cart”, the report says.

The length of time he is expected to be out will be made known tomorrow when his coach Horst Steffen hold his pre match conference ahead of Saturday’s game against St. Pauli.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of South Africa Hugo Broos has given his opinion on the three points deduction slammed on his team in the world cup qualifiers for fielding an ineligible player, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

South Africa were docked three points by FIFA , three goals by FIFA for fielding Teboho Mokoena who was supposed to be suspended for the 2-0 win over Lesotho, when he was supposed to be suspended after picking up two previous yellow cards.

The decision means South Africa are now second on goal difference to Benin Republic heading into the last round of games. A situation that leaves them with no margin for error in their final two games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda respectively.

Reacting to what has potentially given a boost and advantage to the quest of Benin Republic and third placed Nigeria, who are just three points behind. The coach said it’s still in their hands provided they win their both games

“I know everything that happened in the last two weeks, but we’re still alive. There is nothing changed, after the game against Nigeria we were three points ahead. We still had to win our last two games”, he said at the press conference where he unveiled the list of invited players for their final two games of the series.

“Why believe Benin will win their last two games and we not. I don’t understand why people start doubting, and say we can’t qualify anymore.

“People have to stop now to look for who is responsible, we all know he made a mistake. But between the first match and the second there were 16 months, we also played AFCON.

“Who is responsible, it’s clear, ‘ . My staff is resposible, the coaching staff is responsible, the player is resposible and SAFA administration is responsible.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu insisted on his Nigerian name Chinazaekpere to be included in his official list of names before the start of the season, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The both parents of the Danish international are from Nigeria and they insisted on giving him a Nigerian name upon birth in the Igbo dialect, but the name has been rarely used in his details.

He joined Manchester United in January 2025 from Italian Serie A side Lecce, and a few months ago added his Igbo name “Chinazaekpere” to show full recognition of his heritage and religion.

Chinazaekpere means ‘God answers prayers’,” he explained in an interview with the official website of Manchester United.

“That’s what my parents gave to me when I was born. Religion means a lot to me, it’s always been a big part of my life and my family’s. I’ve always been praying since I was young and I keep praying.

“Family and the community is what I’ve grown up with in Denmark so it’s good to try and maintain it here too. I come to pray at this church on Sunday if I have the time and we don’t have a game; I try to be here as much as I can.

“I don’t know if it [religion] has an advantage [on the pitch]. It’s about always believing, believing that God has a plan for me, and for my career”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen Horst Steffen has explained why Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface isn’t starting games for his team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Boniface joined the team on loan from fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen after a failed move to AC Milan. The move collapsed at the point of medicals.

At Bremen he is yet to nail a starting spot with an assist to his name in three games coming off the bench. Relatively unknown Nigerian Justin Njinmah who is predominantly a winger was picked ahead of him to start in attack.

Reacting to his decision, the coach said Boniface isn’t at his best yet and they are working to bring him to the level that made him play a key role in helping Leverkusen to a league and cup double just two years ago.

“I’ve come to know him as a very likeable person; he’s very personable, approachable, and dedicated to the team. We laugh a lot together; I think it’s nice when a player has such a sense of humour and shows such joy. He fits right into our group. I don’t know what others say or how it was elsewhere”, the coach said.

“You can already see that he is getting better and better in his stride. He scored a goal against Bayern Munich, but it was unfortunately offside. But he’ll keep on trying.

“It’s clear, we need him and have to get him into shape to be at his best. In my opinion, he’s just not there yet. Accordingly, we’re continuing to work on it. We’re very happy with it and he knows it”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Borussia Dortmund midfield ace Carney Chukwuemeka is expected to make a decision on his international future at the end of the current season, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The 21 year old who has discovered his fine form this season in Germany, scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League this season in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Born in Austria to immigrant Nigerian parents, he has represented England at various youth levels but when he turns 22 and fail to crack the English setup he will consider playing for the other two countries he is eligible to represent.

Sources say he is yet to make up a mind on who to pick between Nigeria and Austria, but while they have been an official approach from Austria he is yet to get any form of communication from Nigeria.

However all of that could change in the coming months especially if Nigeria makes it to the world cup, as he is said to be among the players head coach Eric Chelle has in his list of eligible players who he intends to approach to play for Nigeria.

Ade Emmanuel

The form of out of favour Super Eagles duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu is putting head coach Eric Chelle under pressure to hand them a spot in his squad for the world cup qualifiers in October, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nigeria will round up their world cup qualifiers with games against Lesotho and Benin Republic respectively, and Chelle is drawing up the final list of players for both games.

We can exclusively reveal that the duo of Iheanacho have been mentioned to the coach by some respected individuals, owing to their fine form for their respective teams.

Iheanacho who is very popular in the team has started life in Scotland with a bang following his move on a free transfer from Sevilla to Celtic. He has two goals and one assist in four games so far.

Onuachu is the most impressive so far with five goals in seven games in Turkey for Trabzonspor, including a potential goal of the season contender when he produced a wonderful bicycle kick in their win over Fatih Karagumruk.

A final decision is expected to be taken by Chelle, who has also watched the duo as part of his monitoring of Nigerian players based abroad.

Ade Emmanuel