Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen was a thorn in the flesh of the defence of Italian Serie A side Juventus with two assists for Galatasaray in a shocking 5-2 win in the first round of their round of 32 playoff in the UEFA Champions League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Fresh from picking a double assist against Eyuspor in a 5-1 win, he followed it up today with another one as his proved to be too strong for the Italian side, who had a man sent off in the second half.

Osimhen assisted Noa Lang for his side’s fourth goal before setting up Sacha Boey for the fifth goal for his side earning them their biggest ever win in the knock out stage of any UEFA competition.

The return leg of the tie will take place next week in Turin, with Galatasaray well placed to secure a spot in the round of 16 unless they lose by three or more goals .

Eric Chelle will become the highest ever earning Super Eagles coach when he reaches an agreement to extend his current contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The coach who led to the team to a third placed team at the recently concluded AFCON still has a year to go on his current deal, but the National Sports Commission (NSC) in conjunction with the NFF have decided to extend his contract.

Talks are well underway despite the coach failing to meet the target of getting to at least the final of the AFCON, however talks are not going as smooth as anticipated.

Chelle who is courted by Angola and was recently linked with the vacant position of French Ligue 1 side Marseille is demanding for a 100% pay rise from his current $50,000 a month pay.

We can exclusively reveal that while he won’t be getting the amount he has demanded, the NSC is willing to pay him in excess of $60,000 a month, which will make him the highest paid coach ever in the history of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

He is expected to receive the proposal from the NFF, after talks with the NSC who are footing his bills. It is expected to be sorted before the next international break in March.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Coach of Crystal Palace Oliver Glasner has dropped Nigeria international midfielder Uche Chrisantus from the list of registered players in the Europa Conference League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The on loan midfielder who has made two appearances in the tournament was dropped from the list of registered players, to make way for the registration of players signed by the club in the January transfer window.

Palace added the trio of Brennan Johnson, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand in place of Uche and two others to complete their list of 24 registered players for the knock out round of the tournament.

Uche has played four games in the tournament with two goals, but he won’t be involved any longer and it’s very likely that the club won’t take the option of signing him permanently at the end of the season, when his loan deal runs out.

A permanent deal was tied to the 22 year old making certain number of appearances, which can’t be reached anymore with few games left to play in the English Premier League, where he has only played 13 times, mainly as a substitute.

He is expected to return to Getafe in the summer, who will then decide on his next career move which is very likely away from Spain, with the club looking to raise funds to comply with the league’s financial regulations.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured another friendly game for the upcoming international window in the month of March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Yesterday a date was secured for a friendly game against world cup bound Jordan in March, and now another game has been agreed with fellow Asian side Iran who are also heading to the 2026 World Cup.

Spokesman of the Football Federation of Iran Amirmahdi Alavai made this known that a tie with the Super Eagles has been agreed for the 27th of March, and it will serve as part of their preparation for the world cup in June.

Nigeria who failed to qualify for the world cup for the second consecutive edition will be up against Iran for the first time since 2014, when both teams clash in their opening group game at the world cup in Brazil.

An announcement is expected from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Victor Osimhen has revealed the real reason behind his decision to leave Italian Serie A side Napoli ahead of today’s UEFA Champions League game against Juventus, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen who guided Napoli to their first ever league title in 33 years three seasons ago, forced his way out of the club by initially joining Galatasaray on loan before making the transfer permanent in the summer.

He will be up against an Italian opposition for the first time since his departure from Italy, and he has opened up on his exit from Napoli in a way he has never done before now.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement that I could leave next summer, but the other side didn’t fully honor their commitment. They tried to ship me off everywhere, treated me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that… I’ve worked so hard for my career, I couldn’t accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet.

Of course, Conte wanted to keep me on the team, but from the club’s side, they said they didn’t want me on the team. Are you serious? At that moment, which manager wouldn’t want me? As soon as Conte arrived, he called me to his office and said he was aware of the situation, but despite everything, he wanted me to stay. I told him I’d be happy to work with him, but I’d already made up my mind-I didn’t want to keep working somewhere I wasn’t happy.

“No one apologized publicly for what happened. After that infamous video, Edoardo De Laurentiis called me a few times. That’s it. Meanwhile, rumors were flying that I’d shown up late to training, gotten into fights with teammates… All lies. I feel for the fans, but I understand and appreciate them-they support the club no matter what. For them. Napoli comes first.” he stated in an interview with Gazzetta dello sports.

“I’m sorry for the Napoli fans, because I never spoke about what happened. Some of them came to my house and demanded an explanation from me. We talked, and I asked them to put themselves in my shoes. After Napoli posted that video on TikTok, something definitely broke.

“Every footballer can miss a penalty, and everyone can be mocked for it. Napoli did this only to me, and with implications of a certain kind. I was the victim of racist insults and made my decision—I wanted to leave. I deleted my photos in Napoli jerseys from Instagram, and they seized the opportunity to turn the fans against me. Yet for me, my daughter is more Neapolitan than Nigerian…”

On interest of Juventus in signing him, the 27 year old revealed that they wanted to sign him the year he left for Galatasaray but Napoli refused to sanction the deal.

“Juventus wanted to sign me and Giuntoli submitted a bid to try to close the deal, but President (Aurelio) DeLaurentiis didn’t sell me to Juve. Juve are a top club. I never had a fight with (Luciano) Spalletti. When Juventus call you, you have to listen with them…”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Former Nigeria international defender Efe Ambrose says he is interested in the vacant U20 job of the Nigerian team following the exit of Aliyu Zubairu as coach, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

A member of the AFCON winning team of Nigeria in 2013. Ambrose who has already gotten his coaching badges in Scotland where he is based said it will be his own way or helping in the development of young players in Nigeria.

Efe who still plays football in the Scottish low division for Glasgow United, but mostly for leisure and also development of young players had an illustrious club career with Scottish giants Celtic.

” I have my coaching badges already and I am ready to take up the U20 job if I am offered. It will be a very good way to assist in the development, discovery and exposure of young players in Nigeria”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

He added: ” I started my national team career with the U20 so I understand better how it works from screening, recruitment and also games. It is a dream I hope will come true”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Coach of Coventry City Frank Lampard was full of praise for Nigeria international midfielder Frank Onyeka after his debut in their top of the table clash against Middlesbrough yesterday.

Lampard’s men returned to the top of the English Championship table with a 3-1 win in what was the debut game for the Nigerian, who joined the team on loan from top division side Brentford in the January transfer window.

It was their first win in three games, a poor run that cost them their position as the league leaders. They however reclaimed the spot yesterday and Lampard was full of praises for Onyeka after the game.

“An outstanding debut. To come from the Premier League and step up to this level of game so quickly in his career, to make his debut in that game and perform as he did, was a great sign. I am really pleased for him.”

Yes, absolutely. It was brilliant,” Lampard told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

“His performance, his power in winning the ball, his quality of understanding when to jump and press, and what he’s like in duels, but also his quality of play.”

Onyeka picked up a booking in the game, but rather than substitute him, Lampard kept him for the entire duration of the game, and afterwards disputed the yellow card given to the 28 year old.

“It was a massive performance from him, and he gets a booking; it’s never a booking,” Lampard said.

“I’m thinking, if he tires, is he going to come off? But I thought he dealt with that situation well.”

On loan Simoiben of Kaduna prospect David Oguejiofor made an instant impact for Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr with a goal and assist for their U21 in his debut game, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The 19 year old who was signed on loan during the January transfer window wasted no time in making his mark at the club, when he was introduced for his debut against the U21 team of Al-Jabalin.

He wasted no time in getting on the score sheet to increase his team’s lead to 2-0, before bagging an assist with a well weighted pass for the third goal as his team run out 3-0 winners.

His deal at the club has an option of becoming a permanent deal and promotion to the first team at the end of the season, based on how he performs for the six months left in the season.

Already he has trained with the first team, and will likely get a chance to be a part of the team’s squad for a competitive game before the end of the season, judging by how well he has started his career at the club.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Stanley Nwabali is not in the plans of head coach Eric Chelle for their upcoming engagement in the next international window, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nigeria will be up against world cup debutants Jordan in March and Chelle will use the game to access fringe players, and also some new players who he has been monitoring for some time.

Nwabali who is currently without a club is not going to be a part of the team for the game, even if he secures a club before the game in March. The idea is for the coach to access other options he has in goal.

It’s very likely that Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will be a part of the squad, but will face stiff competition from the duo of Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie for the nod to start.

Sources say Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is not seen as an option by Chelle anymore, after refusing to be a part of the team for the AFCON unless he is guaranteed to be the first choice.

Chelle felt the shot stopper undermined his authority by refusing to honour the invitation, but will still consider him only after talks on certain things that left him unhappy with his decision.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro saved the team from a very likely ban from FIFA during his time as head coach of the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Peseiro who led the team to the final of the AFCON two years ago, where they were beaten by the host Cote d’Ivoire left after the tournament and he is presently the head coach of Saudi Arabia side Al-Ula.

During his time as coach of the team, a close associate recall how he almost took a dangerous turn that could have led to a ban on Nigeria by world football governing body FIFA.

” We were preparing for a game in the AFCON qualifiers, and a player who has dual nationality was called up to the team. Just before the game we received reports that he has a passport of another country with a different name”, he revealed.

” The player was summoned and the defence he gave wasn’t convincing enough with what we were told. So the decision was to leave him out of the team and that is how it has remained till date. He has a Nigerian passport though but it wasn’t gotten through means that has so many doubts”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman