The decision to hand the coaching job of the senior national team of Nigeria to Belgian tactician Tom Saintfeit hasn’t gone down well with some board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Saintfeit is the favourite for the job ahead of former coach of Mali Eric Chelle following the withdrawal of Herve Renard from the race to replace Finidi George. We gathered he is the preferred choice of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

Gusau is however facing stiff opposition from some members of his board over the 51 year old, who have reservations over his suitability for the role owing to the fact that he hasn’t handled a star studded team like the Super Eagles is at the moment.

It is part of why the announcement of a new coach has been delayed by the NFF, although the fact that they are waiting on the approval of the minister for sports senator John Enoh is said to be the primary reasons behind the delay.

Nigeria is in a race against time to name a new coach for the team before next month Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.

Barnsley Football Club have announced the signing of 26 year old Nigeria international midfielder Kelechi Nwakali from relegated Portuguese side G.D Chavez on a three year deal, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

“We are delighted to confirm the signing of Nigerian International midfielder Kelechi Nwakali from G.D Chaves for an undisclosed fee subject to visa and international clearance”, a statement on the official website of the club reads.

The League One ( third division) side will be hoping he help fire them to promotion after a disappointing campaign last time out where they finished 17th. They have a long standing interest in the Nigerian.

Back in 2015 after winning the best player at the U17 World Cup, Nwakali was signed by Arsenal but left the club three years ago after failing to make the grades. He spent two years at Spanish side Huesca before his contract was terminated in 2021 over indiscipline.

He returned late from international duty with Nigeria at the AFCON. He moved to Portuguese side Chavez last season and was fined by the club after was pictured using his phone on the substitute bench after he was subbed off during the game that sealed their relegation.

German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have registered their interest in one cap Nigeria international defender Jordan Torunarigha who is keen to leave Belgium side Gent, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The 27 year old refused a new deal and with a year left to run on his deal, the club have made clear their intention to let him leave rather than lose him for free next summer.

However they have been few offers who have met the valuation placed on him by the Belgium side, who are said to want a fee in the region of €5m for the defender who joined them from Hertha Berlin three seasons ago.

Clubs like Stuttgart didn’t meet the valuation and recent reports say Hoffenheim are the latest team to be pressing for his signing, following a breakdown of a proposed move to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow due to the war situation in the country.

Talks are progressing with his camp and a firm bid is expected to be lodged in the coming days for the defender who played for Germany at various youth levels, before switching his nationality to Nigeria at senior level.

Gent are expecting him to move and plan using the funds generated from his sale to boost other areas of priority in their team.

As teams gear up for the start of a new season around Europe, teams have been making additions to their first team by way of signing of new players or promotion of young players, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

German Bundesliga side Union Berlin has decided to honor little known 18 year old Nigerian defender Samuel Ogbemudia to their first team setup, after impressing in pre season.

Announcing his promotion to the first team , the club announced on their official website that the Berlin born who came through their youth ranks, before teaming up with the first team in 2023 will now be a part of the first team permanently.

“1. FC Union Berlin have signed 18-year-old defender Oluwaseun Ogbemudia to a professional contract. Born in Bremen, “Olu” came through the youth ranks at FC St. Pauli up to the U-17s before joining the club’s senior squad in the summer of 2023”, the statement reads.

Last season he played 19 games for the Reserve team including five in the UEFA Youth League. It earned him a call up to the U-18 of Germany and he played in two test games.

During the preparations for the current season, the 6’1” defender took part in the summer training camps in Austria and Neuruppin with Union’s first team squad. He completed the entire Bundesliga pre-season under the guidance of Bo Svensson, also getting plenty further experience under his belt as he appeared in most of the friendlies.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sent out provisional letter of invitation to 35 players ahead of the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.

Still without a substantive coach, the list of players called up for the game was drawn up by the technical department of the NFF in tandem with an influential member of the board.

As per what we exclusively gathered, a recall was handed to three players who have not been part of the setup for a while in Rangers defender Leon Balogun, new Sevilla signing Chidera Ejuke and Cardiff City left back Jamilu Collins.

Sources say the decision to hand them a chance in the team was due to the fact that they will be of use if they make the final list of players for both games, which is expected to be around 25 players and will be decided by the next coach of the team.

” Balogun has been active for Rangers and we can’t take away the fact that he is very experienced and will be of use in the team. Ejuke has also been a part of the team for a while now, and with his recent form for Sevilla a recall isn’t out of place”, he explained.

” For Collins, we are thin on options at left back with Zaidu Sanusi still injured. Collins is very experienced at this level and can be of use in the games”.

Female soccer has gone through a long journey. From its unclear beginnings, it has become an international sensation. During this path, major milestones were accomplished, which demonstrated the determination and skill of female athletes. Every achievement opened up ways for greater acceptance and support.

The Formative Years

In the early 20th century, the development of women’s soccer began to take shape. The game continued despite many challenges, such as bans and limited resources. A game between Dick, Kerr Ladies and St. Helens in 1920 drew an attendance of 53,000, showing how popular the sport was.

The ban on female football by the English FA in 1921 was a big blow. However, unofficial matches and international competitions kept the spirit of the game alive among women. This phase set the stage for future directions in female football, as it showed how determined and committed players were. Now, you can watch these matches and even bet on them using MelBet. You do not even have to leave the house to do so!

Global Recognition

Toward the end of the 20th century, there was growing recognition of female football at the international level with significant milestones, including:

• FIFA Women’s World Cup (1991): The first-ever edition took place in China, marking a milestone.
• Olympic Inclusion (1996): It included women’s soccer in the Olympics, thus bringing it to a larger audience.
• UEFA Women’s Champions League (2001): European clubs had an opportunity to showcase their talents through this competition.

These milestones mirror how widely accepted and loved women’s soccer has become globally.

Pioneering Competitions

Women’s soccer has experienced various landmarks. These milestones have been instrumental in its growth. Below are two significant competitions.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup

The first FIFA Women’s World Cup took place in China in 1991. It involved twelve different teams from around the globe, marking a huge milestone for female soccer worldwide. Norway was beaten by the USA in the finals, making it an important stepping stone for female soccer players to display their skills and determination.

It is now held every four years, and more teams and fans participate each time. The tournament has since grown to accommodate thirty-two teams, which makes it one of the most viewed sporting events globally. The World Cup played a crucial role in helping female football gain more respect and popularity, as many girls were encouraged to join the game. To be the first to know the news from the world of sports, subscribe to MelBet Instagram. That way, you won’t miss any championships!

Olympic Inclusion

In 1996, female football became an Olympic sport. Atlanta, USA, hosted the initial Olympic women’s soccer matches. This inclusion was another major platform for female athletes and marked a key step forward for this sport. In the 1996 Olympics, the United States won gold, which brought more attention to women’s soccer.

The inclusion in the Olympics showed how important and fascinating women’s soccer was becoming across continents. It also helped promote soccer on a global scale, enabling more female to play professionally and increasing their chances of participation. Additionally, it made women’s soccer more visible during the Olympics, thus leading to the development of its programs across countries.

Rise of the Professional Leagues

There has been significant growth in professional leagues concerning female soccer. These leagues have made the game more popular and more professional. The major leagues include:

• NWSL (2013): One of the leading leagues is the National Women’s Soccer League in the USA.
• FA WSL (2010): In England, there are many good players in the Women’s Super League.
• Division 1 Féminine (1974): France’s top league is known for its strong teams.

These leagues give female soccer players a chance to play at a high level. They also bring more fans to the sport, making women’s soccer more exciting.

Cultural Impact and Future Prospects

The perception of soccer has changed due to women’s soccer. Seeing women play professionally has informed girls’ decisions to play soccer too, hence making it diverse and inclusive. Female soccer players have become role models, thus becoming a source of motivation for many young athletes.

Women’s soccer looks bright ahead. Many nations are investing in their women’s teams and leagues as well. The increased popularity of this sport means better opportunities for female players. Given that it receives more support and becomes visible, women’s soccer will remain vibrant and make some positive changes in the world.

Final Words

Women’s football has come a long way since then. Key milestones have helped propel the game forward by winning respect from all quarters. With even greater opportunities for female players in the future, including recognition, brighter days are ahead. It will continue inspiring and changing lives with each passing day.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Victor Osimhen at Italian Serie A side Napoli appears to be having a negative effect on the player following a recent incident at a nightclub in Naples , OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen who have handed in a transfer request at Napoli leading to the decision to axe him from the team’s training camp ahead of the start of the Serie A season in Italy. It led to the decision to axe him from their matchday squad for their Coppa Italia game against Modena.

Napoli are not opposed to his exit, but want any interested team to meet the €130m release clause in his contract when he signed fresh terms in December. For now PSG the most interested team in his service are yet to meet with the demands of Napoli.

The situation appears to be taking a tool on the 25 year old as he was involved in pushing and shoving with a fan of the club at a nightclub as posted by a Tik-Tok user in a 14 minutes video.

Roberto Cerullo who posted the video showed the Africa Footballer of the Year pushing his way through a crowd to get at an individual, who was filming him at the popular nightclub in Naples. He was visibly upset in the video and was held back by securing officials in the club.

His actions could led to a possible fine by the club, if he is in breach of the code of conduct of the team.

We recap the first week of the group stage in Nigeria’s biggest amateur championship.

Shocking upsets

The G12 FC, 36 Lion FC, and Young Strikers FC teams’ chances were highly evaluated by the public and experts. However, the start of the group stage revealed that the favorites won’t have an easy journey, and big names alone don’t guarantee success.

G12 FC faced a tough challenge, first losing to Bethel FC (0-3) and then managing only a draw against Wasola FC. Even though its opponent could field only 10 players, it didn’t help G12 FC secure a win. Now, with just 1 point and only two matches left before the group stage ends, G12 FC has little time to turn things around.

Young Strikers FC’s 0-2 loss to last year’s finalist and main rival, Ighalo FC, is understandable. However, 36 Lion FC certainly expected more in its match against Dominion Hotspur. The team struggled to break through its opponent’s well-organized defense and ultimately couldn’t equalize after conceding the only goal.

Fans were also disappointed by Team 360 FC, who fell to the relentless attacks of Dosu Joseph FC and lost 1-3.

First week’s heroes

Diadem Stallion FC displayed its best performance at the start of the group stage, defeating Royalty FC 5-0. The team, showcasing power and speed, drew public attention and could become the tournament’s dark horse.

Okechukwu Nwanna scored 6 goals in 2 matches at the previous stage and continued his scoring feats in Victor Osimhen’s style. With his brace, the Bethel FC forward helped the team to defeat G12 FC. It won’t be long before this guy signs autographs on the street.

Champion’s calculated start

The capabilities of the SB LFC champions are well known to the public, who are used to the team’s high-level football. This is why fans criticized the first 1xCup winner for its unconvincing performance even after a 2-1 victory against Collins Edwin FC. However, coach Barrister Ayo Julius quickly reassured everyone, saying, “We are ready and determined to defend our title. We’re set to go all the way with our unique football style called Ramba-Samba.” He knows what he’s talking about, as the champions understand how to pace themselves throughout a long tournament.

Serious approach to the game

The cozy Legacy Pitch Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, hosted very different group-stage matches. But these games had one thing in common: an uncompromising fight, with only one draw as a result. In the 9 matches, 27 goals were scored, that is 2.67 goals per game on average. This means that the participants seek joy in attacking while still maintaining a strong defense. You will see this approach in professional football as well.

New 1xCup level

The teams are competing for a prize pool of 20,000,000 NGN, with half going to the winner. In the first 1xCup drawing, the amounts were 5,000,000 NGN and 1,000,000 NGN respectively.

The success of the first tournament resulted in a larger prize fund and heightened excitement, with 162 teams applying for the second 1xCup. After the elimination and qualification matches, 20 top teams advanced and were divided into 4 groups. The group winners will secure automatic spots in the quarter-finals, while the second and third-place teams in each group will compete for the remaining 4.

Come to the stadiums and cheer for your team, as the hottest 1xCup matches are still to come!

Coach of Sampdoria Andrea Pirlo has opened the doors for ex Remo Stars teen sensation Ebenezer Akinsamiro to force his way into the setup of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Akinsamiro joined Sampdoria on a season long loan deal from Inter Milan and has already handed him a starting role in the first team as witnessed yesterday, when they played their first official game of the new season in Italy.

Pirlo while speaking on the signing of the 19 year old on loan said it was a huge coup considering the fact that he was on the radar of several teams in Italy, but decided to join them.

“Very good, interesting players with great prospects. Akinsanmiro arrives from Inter’s Primavera but was on everyone’s lips with so many requests but we were very good. Meulensteen arrived later, he worked little in Holland, he arrived with a little less work and will have some time to adapt to the work in Italy. We have already seen him, he is an intelligent player and has excellent qualities”, he concluded when asked about his two new signings.

Yesterday Sampdoria defeated Como on penalties in the Coppa Italia after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Akinsamiro was on for 76th minute in what was his first start in professional football.

He gave a good account of himself leaving Pirlo who is a legendary midfielder in the world of football with nothing but praises for him. ” Akinsamiro can go ahead to the best he can be if he continues to work hard. It’s more in his hands now but he has huge potential to be a key player for club and country (Nigeria) next season”, he said after the game.

The future of Nigeria international midfielder Frank Onyeka at English Premier League side Brentford is far from certain as the start of the new season draws near, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Onyeka is heading into his third season at the club but he is unhappy about the limited game time he had last season, and had asked the club to let him leave to where he is certain of regular game time.

Spanish LaLiga side Girona reportedly made contact with the representative of the 26 year old proposing a loan deal, but Brentford are only willing to listen to loan offers that carries an obligation to buy or an outright sale.

A star for Nigeria at the AFCON in January, Frank fears his game time will be further limited this season with the arrival of Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool. Head coach Thomas Frank thinks otherwise.

The coach is said to have spoken with the Nigerian and assured him of equal opportunity like others in his position. More talks will be held between the duo before the close of the summer transfer window per what we gathered.

Daniel Martins