The impending departure of Victor Boniface from German side Bayer Leverkusen to Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Nassr dominated the pre match presser ahead of their UEFA Champions League game against Slavia Praha, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Head coach of the team Xavi Alonso and team’s striker Patrik Shick were present at the press conference, and both gave their opinion on the move which is set to happen in the next 48 hours according to several sources.

Talks between all parties involved in the deal is accelerating really fast with the hope of reaching an agreement for a transfer fee of around €60m for the 24 year old , who only joined the club 18 months ago

Asked if he would have imagined a move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, Shick who ironically took the spot of Boniface owing to his injury since November last year said it’s an option that he won’t consider as he still has ambition of playing at the top.

“I’m 29 and still have ambitions to play at the top level. It’s not a topic at the moment for me. Everyone is different, but speaking for myself, this is not the right time”, he explained.

Speaking further he played down the absence of Boniface through injury as the reason behind his change of fortune at the club, and regular run of games, saying even his likely departure won’t have an effect on his focus.

“It doesn’t change too much for me [if Victor Boniface leaves]. I’ll keep doing the same things I already did recently. Whether Victor is here or not doesn’t change much for me. For me it’s always the same, the same focus. I always focused on myself and didn’t look at what the other one was doing.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The impending departure of Victor Boniface from German side Bayer Leverkusen to Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Nassr dominated the pre match presser ahead of their UEFA Champions League game against Slavia Praha, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Head coach of the team Xavi Alonso and team’s striker Patrik Shick were present at the press conference, and both gave their opinion on the move which is set to happen in the next 48 hours according to several sources. Which will beat the deadline for the close of the January transfer window in Saudi Arabia.

Talks between all parties involved in the deal is accelerating really fast with the hope of reaching an agreement for a transfer fee of around €60m for the 24 year old , who only joined the club 18 months ago.

However some reports say Alonso won’t sanction the exit of the Nigerian unless a replacement is found, but Alonso played it down saying the Nigerian will be allowed to leave even if they fail to sign his replacement.

“Yes. We’ll see. But I’m very happy with the squad and our quality. Of course after Jeanu [Belocian’s] and Martin [Terrier’s] injuries we already said that we need to be active. There are still three days remaining [in this transfer window] and we are close… I am and I will be happy with the squad. Until now, all players feel that they are ready and an important part of the team. It’s a situation [with Boniface], but I can understand. We have to wait. My feeling stays the same.”

Daniel Martins

Head coach of Barcelona Hansi Flick says Italian Serie A side Atalanta won’t find it easy to defeat his side in tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League game, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Barcelona will play their final group game in the new format of the UEFA Champions League against the Gian Piero Gasperini led side who are also pushing for an automatic top 8 spot to avoid the two legged play off as route to the knock out round.

Atalanta were however rocked by a big setback with their talisman Ademola Lookman set to miss the game due to a knee injury, which will likely keep him out for a month.

Flick was asked about the absence of the Nigerian who is the current Africa Player of the Year, and he said it will no doubt make it hard for Atalanta to win, but says he still expect them to play as a team like they have always been under Gasperini.

“Lookman not playing? Of course when you lose an important player it’s not easy. But I think Gasperini knows his team very well. For me, I usually don’t focus on one or two players, I always look at the team as a whole and how they perform”, Flick said at the pre match presser.

“I don’t think the style they want to play will change much. There is a kind of spontaneity that comes from training and playing a lot of games. So, in the end, I don’t think things will change much.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The sporting director of Spanish LaLiga side Sevilla has opened up on the future of Nigeria international forward Kelechi Iheanacho at the club just six months after he joined on a free transfer from English Premier League side Leicester City, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Since joining the team , the Nigerian has scored just three goals in cup games against teams in the lower division, while in the LaLiga he is yet to register a goal in nine games.

The club recently announced the signing of another Nigerian in Jerome Akor, who was signed from French Ligue 1 side Montpellier as part of their bid to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.

As expected the club will have to balance their books by allowing some players to leave, and Iheanacho has been heavily talked about with interest from English Championship side Leeds United, Greek side Panathinaikos all credited with an interest in luring him.

Iheanacho hasn’t been involved lately and despite coach Garcia Pimienta dismissing any talks of a rift or unhappiness, the club’s sporting director Victor Orta says the 27 year old has been presented with offers that could see him leave the club before the close of the January transfer window.

“I think he is evaluating some offers that we have transferred to him. There is one week left, I think the three positions can be close and it is a matter of the player being able to choose his best option for those six months. We all expected a higher performance on his part. That has nothing to do with its quality and there is interest from other teams. I think he wants to play more and see what happens until Monday”, he said.

Daniel Martins

German Bundesliga and Cup champions Bayer Leverkusen are in talks with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia over the sale of Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface, OwngoalNigeria.com reports.

Talks have advanced between both parties and it’s largely why he was left out of their squad for tomorrow’s game in the UEFA Champions League against Sparta Praha. A fee in excess of €50m is said to be what it will take for his signing.

Already Al-Nassr have prepared space for his signing on their wage bill by allowing Brazilian midfielder Anderson Talisca to join Fenerbahce yesterday. Boniface has reportedly agreed personal terms already.

German publication Bild, while speaking on the impending transfer said the club have four major reasons why they want the 24 year old who was voted rookie of the year last season out of the door.

Below were the reasons itemized by the publication.

• Leverkusen’s CEO Fernando Carro said last April that “a big sale [is necessary] every year in order to afford new signings”, but a sale of that magnitude was not made last summer

• the Nigerian has lost his place in the Starting XI to the red hot Patrik Schick

• his injury history (2 ACL tears before joining, total of 35 games missed since)

• Boniface had a host of non-football issues recently, for example, the middle finger that got him suspended after the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart or the cell phone at the wheel incident shortly after his car accident

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The newly appointed coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has drawn up plans for the Super Eagles world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively in the month of March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle took over as coach and his first assignment will be the games in March, where the Super Eagles will be looking for their first win in the world cup qualifiers series after three draws and a defeat that has left them four points behind the leaders Rwanda.

Ahead of the games, Chelle who said he is focus on getting maximum points from both games has some areas of priority and has plans to tackle the concerns. One of which is an alternative to Victor Osimhen.

He wants a player of a different profile as backup to the main striker of the team, and in that line has three players in Tolu Arokodare of Belgium side Genk, Cyriel Dessers of Scottish side Rangers and Paul Onuachu of English Premier League side Southampton.

All three players in the view of the coach have different profiles to the on loan Napoli striker who has 15 goals for Galatasary this season. He is expected to pick one among the trio who have all been having a good season so far.

Arokodare has 14 goals in 23 league games this season, Dessers has 15 goals in all competitions and Onuachu is experiencing a new lease of life under new manager Ivan Juric at Southampton with just a goal to his name for the struggling side.

Another area the coach is heavily concerned about is the area of goalkeeping where Maduka Okoye won’t be available for the game due to injury, and Francis Uzoho is a huge doubt following his lack of game time at Cyprus side Omonia Nicosia.

A new goalkeeper per what we exclusively gathered is likey to be drafted in, but Adebayo Adeleye who has twice been voted the player of the week in Cyprus this season, owing to his performance for Enosis Neon Paralimni is another option for a recall.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigerian footballers have been burning the wires, and from here, things only get big as their pure talent and hard work raise them to places of prominence in top leagues. With the second part of the 2024/25 season on the cards, all eyes indeed would look at these athletes to press for success with clubs and countries. From the seasoned veterans to the budding stars, the show gets heated. Here are five Nigerian footballers who will be worth your watch in the remaining seasons.

The Camerounian star shines brightly in Europe as one of the most deadly strikers in the game today. Explosively quick, physically imposing, and ruthless in the final third, Victor Osimhen remains a key force at Napoli in Serie A and the Champions League. As Napoli fights for another league title and a good Champions League run, consistency from Osimhen will be key. His scoringability in crucial moments justifies his continuing relevance in global football discussions.

Samuel Chukwueze has settled quickly into life at AC Milan, showing real flair and creativity. His ability to beat defenders and put accurate crosses into the box has added much to Milan’s attack. As Milan fights on two big fronts-the Serie A and European Success-Chukwueze’s performances will be a factor, always. Spectacular assists or goal-scoring-both performances are going to keep fans attracted while he’ll surely remain one of the most thrilling wingers Nigeria has ever possessed.

Gift Orban’s rise to European football has been nothing short of phenomenal. With his incredible goal-scoring record with KAA Gent, he has become one of the brightest young talents coming from Nigeria to trust with your betting. Composed in front of goal, quick decision-making and able to adapt easily, Orban is a nightmare to handle for any defense. And as Gent compete for both domestic and European honors, the youngster’s potential ability to deliver on the big stage will surely see interest from top clubs across Europe’s elite leagues.

Alex Iwobi has been an important player for Fulham, providing a first-class performance with his vision, dribbling, and range of passing adding to Fulham’s attacking statistics. As Fulham battles for a successful finish in the Premier League, Iwobi’s work in midfield will have a significant contribution. With his expertise and leadership, Iwobi is a junior player role model and impact continues long off the field.

Taiwo Awoniyi is Nottingham Forest’s go-to man, providing important goals in the Premier League. With a physique, aerial presence, and tenacity, Awoniyi is a nightmare for markers to defend against. Awoniyi’s ability to deliver in critical times has been important in Forest’s survival drive. As the campaign runs its course, he will try to replicate form and seal himself as one of Nigeria’s finest forwards in European top leagues.

The 2024/25 season is turning out to be an action-packed second stanza for Nigerian football, with the leading stars like Osimhen, among others, and upcoming stars like Orban, taking center stage. These players represent the strength and potential of Nigerian football, proving themselves on global stages. Their performances not only raise the spirits of betting enthusiasts but also show how rich Nigeria is in talent when it comes to football. As they continue to be successful, surely these players will make their mark and, most likely, inspire the next wave of Nigerian footballers.

The newly appointed coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has given his opinion on the chances of his team winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in December, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Super Eagles went all the way to the final of the last AFCON before losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire. They will be aiming to go one step better in the next tournament where they will be going for their fourth crown.

Chelle who led Mali to a quarter final exit at the last AFCON is now at the helm with the Nigerian team, and during the course of the draw for the group stages where they were pitted alongside Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia in group C, the Malian gave his opinion on the chances of his team winning the tournament.

“Yes I think it’s difficult with 24 teams. Great all of them and great coaches as well. Nigeria as well have a great coach. So all what I know for now for sure is that we will have a great team and we will have fun”, he said.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface has given his approval to German champions Bayer Leverkusen to negotiate with Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr for his transfer, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The Saudi Arabia outfit have made the Nigerian their priority target n the January transfer window, and have already cleared space for him on their wage bill with the departure of Anderson Talisca to Fenerbahçe.

Boniface will replace him on their wage bill after reportedly agreeing personal terms which is said to be five times his present wage with the German side, where he recently extended his contract to 2029.

According to German publication Kicker the fact that Al-Nassr and Bayer Leverkusen are now negotiating directly suggests that recent reports that Boniface has already agreed a contract with the Arabs are true.

A fee in excess of €50m is said to be what Bayer Leverkusen are demanding for his transfer, and talks are intensifying towards making the deal happen before the close of the January transfer window.

Daniel Martins