Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen is facing a dilemma on his next career destination with Napoli keen on him joining Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal as against his wish, which is to continue with Turkish side Galatasary, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen spent last season on loan to the Turkish side powering them to league and cup glory with 37 goals and six assists in 41 games across all competitions.

Galatasary are keen on having him return on a permanent deal and have already agreed personal terms with him for a record pay, which matches his wage demands but there are finding it difficult to pay the release clause contained in his contract.

The fee of €75m was agreed last summer before his loan move to Galatasary. It was previously pegged at €150m but after a failed attempt to leave the club last summer, it was reviewed down with the Nigerian signing a new deal as part of the agreement.

However the clause is only valid for teams outside Italy, and it expires later today. Upon expiration the deal of the Nigerian which has a year to run will automatically extend by another year to help Napoli maintain their strong bargaining position.

Explaining the situation, football agent Matt George said it’s a case of Napoli wanting the best deal in agreement with what both partied signed last summer, hence their decision to push the Nigerian towards Al Hilal, who are willing to pay the full worth of the release clause in one installment unlike the Turks who want to stagger it.

” It’s a business strategy that everybody understands unless you want to be unfair, sentimental and greedy. Al Hilal are offering the full worth of the release clause in one payment. Galatasary want to pay but in four years and with clauses”, George explained.

” Napoli need the money to buy a striker in Darwin Nunez from Liverpool and what Gala are offering can’t do that for them. So they prefer the deal to Saudi Arabia. I will do the same if I were to be in their shoes”, he stated.

Daniel Martins

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is making advancement on the plans to get three former youth international for England play for the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nigeria have been very proactive in its drive to get players born abroad to play for the team especially those who are in top five leagues, and not in the plans of the country of their birth.

Head coach Eric Chelle is also on board with the idea and has drawn up a list of possible targets, and will approach them after the world cup qualifiers games in September at the earliest.

However, a chieftain of the NFF said three players have already said yes to the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles, and will begin the process of their switch of nationality before the start of next season.

” Three names including Tosin Adarabiyio of Chelsea, Tino Anjorin who just joined Torino and Tim Iroegbunam of Everton are interested in the Super Eagles project, and will apply for the switch of nationality next month”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” All three of them were established England youth international at various levels and different times. We hope to have them soon when they switch is done, and it will be up to the coach to pick them based on form”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has dropped seven players from the players in the camp of the team preparing for the CHAN tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

These five players have become ineligible to feature for Nigeria at the CHAN tournament. They have all moved out to sign for clubs outside of Nigeria.

Five of the players were ruled out of the tournament after securing deals abroad, meaning they can’t be a part of the tournament meant for players playing in their various domestic leagues.

Below is the list made available by the official communication channel of the senior national team of Nigeria.

– Abubakar Sadiq – Plateau United

– Philip Adejo- Abia warriors

– Saviour Isaac – Rangers

– Papa Daniels Mustapha – Niger Tornadoes

– Waliu Ojetoye – Ikorodu city

Meanwhile Ifeanyi onyebuchi of Rangers is injured and will not report to camp while goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt of Sporting Lagos will be busy with the under 20 team.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro has been accused of hindering the team’s attack minded players with his negative tactics at the 2023 delayed Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria went all the way to the final of the tournament before losing to the host Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 in the final. A game which they took the lead before conceding two late goals against the same team they defeated during the group stage.

Reflecting on their time at the tournament and the difference with the current coach Eric Chelle, a player in the team said their tactics are like night and day owing to the difference in the way they want their team to play, particularly in attack.

” They are not the same in anyway but it’s very glaring in attack because Peseiro hates it when we go all out to attack unlike Chelle who pushes us to go up the pitch and make it happen”, he explained.

” At the AFCON in the game against South Africa, we saw a chance to kill them off after taking the lead but he kept on limiting us by asking players to retreat even when an attack is on. In the final the moment we took the lead it was all about defending. He literally stopped us from attacking”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Young Chelsea winger Coby Ebere has signed a fresh two-year deal keeping him at Everton till the summer of June 2027, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ebere who signed his first professional contract at the club three years ago joined the club at the age of 11 progressing through the various youth ranks up to the U21s.

“I’m buzzing to extend my deal, based on the fact I’ve had a hard 18 months,” Ebere told evertonfc.com.

“It shows the Club has got faith in me – and I know I can repay it.

“I really enjoyed being back on the pitch with the guys [in the second half of the season] and Taity has been really good with me, working in detail and getting me back to where I need to be.

“We’ve got a great group of players in the Under-21s and hopefully we can show that.

“The aim now is to get as many games as possible, and get as close to the first team as I can.”

Meanwhile in an interview last year, the 19 year old confirmed his eligibility for three separate countries at senior level, but he hasn’t been capped at any level by any of the nations.

” I was born in Germany to Nigerian parents and grew up in England. So playing for any of the above countries is an option that I have but to be honest I haven’t thought about any for now. My aim is to make the step up to the main team of Everton”, he said.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Portuguese side FC Porto have announced the departure of Nigeria international winger Marcus Abraham to fellow league side Estrela da Amadora on a permanent deal, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

A member of Porto’s B team for the past three years, he made just one appearance for the first team before the decision to allow him leave was taken by the management given his age.

The 25 year old who has two senior caps for Nigeria in 2021 where he played in back to back friendly games against Cameroon has already joined up with his new team for pre season training.

Comfortable in any role up the pitch he scored 19 goals and eight assists in 85 games for the B team of Porto operating majorly as a right winger from where he scored ten of his goals.

His new team finished 15th last season, and will be hoping his addition alongside others give them a good chance to maintain their top flight status next season.

Daniel Martins

Nigerian football holds a special place among fans across Africa and beyond. Nigeria has produced world-class talents that have won international honors and built a culture that resonates across generations. From the streets of Lagos to big football clubs in Europe, Nigerian fans and players have made their mark.

Nigeria’s football legacy is built on a long history of talent development since the era of Jay-Jay Okocha, to more recent players like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. Skill, flair, and resilience are what make Nigerian football players stand out.

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is the top tier of club football in Nigeria and the powerhouse that has produced both domestic and international talent in the country. Historic clubs like Kano Pillars, Enyimba FC, and Rangers International have always dominated the local scene. A culture of football is shaping how fans interact with online sports betting platforms like Betway.

It is the passion for football that enables NPFL players to produce world-class football despite many clubs having inadequate funding and infrastructure. The vast pool of young football talent in the country, nurtured by academies and football centers, promises a future of stars playing in big clubs. 

Notable academies are taking an interest in Nigerian football thanks to the NPFL. Pepsi Football Academy, working together with FC Ebedei, has produced young, talented players who are now playing in Europe’s top clubs and leagues.

Women’s Football

Nigerian women are also championing women’s football in Africa. The nation’s women’s team, Super Falcons, regularly qualifies for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Falcons have won 11 of the 14 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Stars who play for top clubs in Europe, like FC Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, are becoming role models for aspiring female footballers.

The Nigerian football league management is crucial in ensuring proper governance and transparency in managing sports resources. Modern training facilities, stadiums, and sports development centers are key to producing elite female players. Nigeria is creating a viable football economy through merchandising, broadcasting, and sponsorship deals with stakeholders, with Betway to help clubs and the league become self-sustaining.

Welfare & Coaching

A key factor that influences the performance and long-term development of football in Nigeria is the state of players and coaching staff. While the country heavily depends on the raw talent of individual players, the environment in which they train, especially at the domestic level, significantly affects their career growth.

Clubs are trying to provide better contract terms to players to boost their morale. Healthcare and the overall physical and mental health of players can force someone into early retirement. Coaches are undergoing training that provides players with a structured career path in the football world. Financial literacy training, scholarships, and coaching certification are essential for holistic player welfare.

Conclusion 

Nigeria’s football future looks bright as the nation builds a stronger foundation for consistent performance and long-term stability. Players are now being nurtured in a safe and professional environment. This will likely elevate the national game as a whole at both local and international levels.

The head coach of the senior national team of South Africa Hugo Broos isn’t bothered by the impending three points deduction from world football governing body FIFA after fielding an ineligible player in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who was supposed to be suspended for the 2-0 win over Lesotho after picking up two previous bookings. An act which is usually punished with a three points and three goals deduction.

Reports in South Africa say FIFA has already contacted the football association of South Africa (SAFA) on the issue of fielding an ineligible player, and will pass their judgement before the next round of games in the qualifiers, which is in September.

Reacting to the expected point deduction Broos in an interview with Sunday Times said he isn’t losing sleep over it and he is confident that his team will win their remaining games, which includes the game against Nigeria in September at their home ground in Johannesburg.

He made this known in an interview with South Africa media outlet hinting at their acceptance of the impending points deduction and planning ahead.

Nigeria on their own part will now fancy their chances ahead of the game as the current gap of six points, will be reduced to three ahead of the game in Johannesburg.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Newly capped Nigeria international defender Benjamin Fredrick is a loan target for several teams after an impressive debut for the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Fredrick is available for loan this season with Brentford not interested in any talks of a permanent sale of the 20 year old, who was voted their player’s player of the year last season for the U23s.

Teams have submitted their interests to his representative, and after a move to Belgium appears to be the most likely for now despite the option of listening to teams from France, Austria and Scotland.

The idea is for the defender to join a team where he will get regular game time on a consistent basis as he makes the step up from academy football to first team duties. However it’s not something that is in the immediate with new coach Keith Andrews yet to make a decision.

Andrews who replaced Thomas Frank who left for Tottenham Hotspur wants to run the rule on the Nigerian in pre season, before making a firm decision on his future with his development at the back of his mind.