Danish side FC Midtjylland have confirmed the signing of highly rated 18 year old Nigerian forward Stanley Iheanacho on a deal that will run till the summer of 2028, the club has announced.

He was a part of the Nigeria U17 team of 2021 following his elevation from the U15. As at that time he was on the books of Abuja based football academy FC Hearts. He was reportedly tracked by top Swedish side Malmo before his signing with the Danish side.

Iheanacho will begin his stint at the club with the U19, where his progress will be monitored for a possible elevation to the main team. The Danish club beat a lot of teams to his signing.

”We are dealing with a player who has a nice physical package. He possesses extreme top speed and has scored many goals throughout his youth, says deputy sports manager Ove Pedersen.

Speaking on his move, the light skinned forward said it’s a dream come true for him to be joining the Danish team. “I’m really happy, and it’s something I’ve been waiting for for a long time. It has been a hard fight to get here, so to be standing here now means a lot to me”, he stated.

FC Midtjylland are famed for helping the development of many Nigerian players with as many of three former players of the team playing for the senior national team of Nigeria in the past one year. They are the trio of Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika. Iheanacho will no doubt be hoping he follows the same path.

Daniel Martins

All is not well in the camp of the Women team of Nigeria ahead of the start of the Women World Cup as the battle between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and head coach Randy Waldrum continue to drag on with just two weeks left to the start of the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Waldrum has been involved in a war of words with the NFF, who he claimed tried to imposed players on him but he refused and they fired back by denying him the chance to bring one of his trusted assistants to the team.

The NFF responded by calling the bluff of the coach and he has now decided to once again go against his employers, and this time around, he went as far as accusing them of siphoning money meant for the team’s preparation for the world cup given to all federations by FIFA.

The statement:

UP UNTIL ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, I HAD BEEN OWED 14 MONTHS SALARY, AND THEN THEY PAID 7 MONTHS SALARY.

WE STILL HAVE PLAYERS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN PAID SINCE 2 YEARS AGO WHEN WE PLAYED THE SUMMER SERIES IN THE USA…IT’S A TRAVESTY.

I’M NOT GOING TO BE QUIET ANYMORE….IN OCTOBER, EVERY COUNTRY WAS GIVEN $960,000 FROM FIFA TO PREPARE FOR THE WORLD CUP. WHERE’S THAT MONEY?

FIFA ALLOWS YOUR STAFF TO HAVE UP TO 22 PEOPLE BUT WE ONLY HAVE 11. WE DON’T HAVE SCOUTS TO WATCH THE TEAMS IN OUR GROUP OR POTENTIAL OPPONENTS.

2019 Nigeria U17 midfielder Ibrahim Jabaar has joined Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva from Premier South Africa League side Stellenbosch, where he has spent the last two and half years, OwngoalNigeria.com reports.

A member of the Nigerian team that were knocked out of the 2019 U17 World Cup at the round of 16, the 20 year old made a huge impression at the South African side raking up 70 appearances.

He was named the club’s young player of the year in 2022 in recognition of his fine performances at the club, where he also sets the record of the youngest ever player in the club’s history to play 50 games and more.

Stellenbosch announced his departure with a short statement on their official website and said they wish him well in his new surroundings in Israel as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

His new team were newly promoted to the top division in Israel after finishing as winners in the second division. The club was founded in 1912 by a group of Jewish students from Petah Tikva, who were studying in the Ottoman city of Constantinople (many of them would later serve in the Ottoman army during World War I), making it the second oldest Jewish football club in Israel after Maccabi Tel Aviv, which was formed in 1906.

Daniel Martins

The honorary president of German giants Bayern Munich Uli Hoeness says the club won’t be pursuing a deal for Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen despite reports linking them with a move for the 25 year old, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Bayern are in the market for a top striker after failing to replace top striker Robert Lewandoski who left the team last season for Barcelona. Going into this summer transfer window, the top striker role is their top priority.

Osimhen who powered Napoli to their first league title in 33 years by scoring 26 goals fits the profile of the kind of striker that will flourish with the Bavarian side, but according to Hoeness a deal for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane looks more feasible.

He hinged his comments on the demands of €180m that Napoli wants for the Nigerian saying Bayern don’t sign players who are at that price bracket. For Kane he said even though it will be a risk he has the tendency of fitting in almost immediately owing to the fact that he has been consistent for almost ten years.

” With Osimhen we could plan for almost 10 years. The collection expectations he has However, clubs are beyond any logic. Bayern doesn’t do operations like that“, he told T-Online.

” He’s 29 years old and it would be an expensive option. But it’s clear that he would help us immediately. He’d fit in very well with us, that would be a guarantee. , with his left foot and header, he’s complete. A shot like Kane’s would make us run few risks and give us great opportunities.

“He’s been proving to be a world-class striker for 10 years, also capable of triggering teammates. He would bring quality and experience. I’m one of nine board members and if the other eight say it’s going to be bought, then it’s going to be bought. That’s the way it is in a democracy. But I said for the cost such a move would be insane. “

Former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro has warned the president of Napoli Aurelio De Laurentiis over the future of Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen, who is linked with a move away from the club, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen powered Napoli to their first league title in over 33 years scoring 26 goals with four assists. The 25 year old also found the back of the net five times in six games in the UEFA Champions League.

His form alerted the top teams in Europe but Napoli are digging deep to keep the Nigerian at the Diego Maradona Stadium with the offer of a fresh two year deal, which will extend his stay at the club till the summer of 2026.

Cannavaro who had a stint at relegated Serie A side Benevento has however warned Napoli that Osimhen’s future isn’t guaranteed, if Ligue 1 side PSG or Manchester United so desire to sign the forward despite their €180m valuation of the forward.

“Certainly clubs like Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United, the ones that need a centre-forward the most, if they decide to sign a player from Italy they will get him (Osimhen)”, he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“These are the forces on the market, it’s pointless to delude yourself. De Laurentiis has correct business concepts and has shown that he is up to the job organizationally. He managed to make the square understand that you can also change, while remaining competitive I’m a little worried about the loss of Kim: he’s very strong and replacing him won’t be easy.”

Damian Waziri

The anchor of popular sports program on Kaduna based radio station Liberty Radio 91.7FM Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman popularly known as Mowiz has given out financial assistance to students in tertiary institutions in the state, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Mowiz anchors Kaduna’s number one breakfast show Liberty Sportsride which runs from 7:30am to 8:45am from Monday to Friday. The show has been on for 11 straight years.

At the start of the year, the anchor called for donations from his listeners and was able to raise over 500,000 Naira, which was used to settle the bills of students who had problems with meeting up with the financial demand of their academics.

It is the third year in a row that he has settled their bills and the idea came after the increase in school fees of the state’s university Kaduna State University (KASU) by former governor of the state Nasiru El-Rufai.

He also host an annual football event tagged Mowiz and Friends, where his close associates contribute money to buy kits and give out to children for free after a novelty match among themselves.

Below is the list of individuals who supported this year’s project of settling the bills of 40 students ranging from paying of school fees to buying of forms for the continuation of their academics.

Peter Yilme
Tayo Famasud
Anthony Timbuark
Nenfort Gowon
Dr Rotimi
Timothy Eche
Abdulrasheed Ibrahim
Mr Taiwo
Dr Hilary Zaggi
Adeyinka Adelakun
Victor Asat
Bernard Magaji
Munir Ibrahim
Muhammad Abujega
Musa Mohammed
Henry Etta
Josh Eliagwu
Felix Ajibulu
Ameh Jack
John T Luka
Ola Shodipe
Mustapha Saidu
Abigail Esan
Mojeed Ibrahim
Emmanuel Haruna
Annoymous
Olawale Ojo
Isaac Undie
Kapamza
Chitex Nor

French top division side Lorient have extended the loan deal of 22 year old Nigerian winger Taofeek Ismaheel at Belgium side Beveren by another year after a fairly remarkable performance last time out, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Despite battling with injuries and fitness issues , the speedy winger made 23 appearances picking up four assists. He however convinced the Belgium second division side to hand him another loan spell, which was sanctioned by his parents owners.

His loan departure is coming hot on the heels of the permanent exit of Nigeria international Terem Moffi from the club on a permanent deal to fellow French side Nice. Moffi spent last year on loan but with an obligation to buy clause under certain conditions, which he met.

Despite the departure of the duo, the team still has two Nigerians on their books in young defender Isaac James and four caps senior international Innocent Bonke. Both players have already resumed pre season training with the club ahead of the start of next season.

Daniel Martins

One of the success story of modest Dutch Eredivisie side RKC Waalwijk last season was 23 year old defender Shawn Adewoye, who joined the team in 2021 from Belgium side Genk.

Born in Belgium to parents of Nigerian descent, He played in 33 is their 34 games last season as they finished a respectable 9th on the final standing. Adewoye picked up three man of the match awards.

The center back who scored a goal and also had an assist last season has a year to go on his contract but despite talks of a possible exit. He said his desire is to stay at the club for another season and probably a lot longer if they are able to reach an agreement on extending his deal.

His international future is one that is however up for grabs even though he has represented Belgium from U15 to U19 level. He is still eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Speaking on the chances of playing for Nigeria, he said it’s an opportunity that he will jump at but doubts if they are aware of his eligibility to play for the West African nation, owing to the fact that he hasn’t been contacted at any point in time, especially after the season he had last time out.

” Why not? I am open to playing for Nigeria because I am qualify to represent them despite playing for Belgium, but I doubt if they know about my eligibility because not even a contact or call for all I did last season. It’s never too late and I will keep hoping I get my chance”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Daniel Martins

English Championship side Watford played their first pre season game in preparedness for the start of the new English Championship season, where they aim to secure a spot back to the English Premier League.

It was their first match practice under new coach Valerien Ismael and the coach gave a run out to almost all players who have been involved in the three weeks of training in the build up to the game which was against Boreham Wood.

It ended 0-0 with Watford having the best of chances particularly in the first half with ex Nigeria U20 midfielder Tom Dele- Bashiru leading their charge. Injuries ruined his chances of having a regular run of games last season but he appears to be back to his near best.

Yesterday Dele-Bashiru who played for the Nigeria U20 team at the 2019 U20 World Cup was given a special mention by the official website of the club for his first half display, which saw him flash an effort wide and also drew a smart save from the opposition goalkeeper with a rasping drive from range.

His performance was in sharp contrast to that of his fellow Nigerian and senior international Samuel Kalu who had a quiet 45 minutes. He ended the half without making any meaningful contribution.

Since joining the team in January 2022, the 25 year old has only played 13 games including nine last season. He is said to be surplus to requirements but with no offer lodged for him, the club has no option but to play him in games.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles number one Maduka Okoye wasn’t listed at all as he continues his battle to full fitness after a shoulder injury midway through last season.

Osas Mahawi

The newly appointed coach of relegated English Premier League side Leicester City Enzo Maresca officially resumed his duties two days ago with the start of pre-season training, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Italian Maresca left his role as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant managers at Manchester City to take over the Foxes. He was brought in as the team’s permanent coach following their relegation which saw the departure of Dean Smith, who ended the season in interim capacity.

Already the team has been hit with a host of departures with around seven first team players leaving the team, mostly players who are out of contract with James Madisson the only player who left for Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of around £35m.

Speaking in his first press conference, the coach said he is open to more players leaving the club including the Nigerian duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi before the end of the current summer transfer window.

Iheanacho as exclusively reported by OGN is in talks with Nottingham Forest while Ndidi is courting interest from Napoli and Scottish champions Celtics. He has already turned down an approach from Saudi Arabia. The duo will be allowed to leave the club if they so desire particularly as they have a year left on their deal.

“At the moment, seven players had their contracts expired, James Maddison left, and some more players can leave. But at the same time, players can leave, so we can bring in more players.

“The market is open, anything can happen. We can bring in players and we can sell them too. The market is long. There are many weeks so we’ll see.”

Daniel Martins