by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 3, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Golden Eaglets alumni lead Gent II to dominant victory in Belgium
On a crisp evening at the Chillax Arena in Oostakker, two young Nigerians lit up the pitch with a dazzling display of attacking football. Idris Abdullahi and Umar Abubakar, both products of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, led KAA Gent II to a resounding 4-0 victory over Lyra-Lierse Berlaar, further cementing their team’s place at the top of the Belgian First Amateur Division.
Early Statement of Intent
Lyra-Lierse arrived with confidence, having gone five matches unbeaten, but they were quickly overwhelmed by Gent II’s relentless intensity. It took just five minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock, with Abdullahi rifling a shot past Mats Sterkens for his ninth goal of the season—already a personal best.
Gent II never eased off, and by the 19th minute, Umar Abubakar made his mark. The former Plateau United starlet finished clinically to double the lead, sending a clear message to defenders across the league: he is a striker in unstoppable form.
Abubakar wasn’t done. In the 36th minute, he struck again, completing his brace and taking his season tally to a staggering 23 goals in 26 matches. The 19-year-old has now recorded multiple-goal performances four times in 2025, making a strong case for promotion to Gent’s senior squad.
A Journey of Growth
Both Abdullahi and Abubakar featured in Nigeria’s squad at the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, though their tournament experiences were starkly different. Abdullahi was a key player, scoring twice as Nigeria reached the quarterfinals, only to fall 2-1 to Burkina Faso, missing out on a U17 World Cup berth. Meanwhile, Abubakar played a minor role, making just two substitute appearances.
Yet, fast forward two years, and Abubakar has transformed into one of the most lethal young strikers in Belgian football. With Gent II sitting comfortably at the top of the table, his rise shows no signs of slowing.
As Gent II continues its charge towards promotion, the question now is not whether Abubakar will get his chance at senior football—but when.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 3, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for an intense international window in May and June, with a series of high-stakes matches on the horizon.
Eric Chelle’s men will first turn their attention to the Unity Cup 2025, a four-nation tournament set to take place in London. The competition, featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, promises to deliver thrilling encounters between some of football’s most passionate teams.
The tournament kicks off on Tuesday, May 27, with Trinidad & Tobago facing Jamaica in what has been dubbed the “TriniJam Clash.” The following day, Wednesday, May 28, the Super Eagles will renew their heated rivalry with the Black Stars of Ghana in a semi-final showdown. The stakes will be high, as Nigeria looks to reclaim bragging rights after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Ghana in their last London meeting.
The final round of matches is set for Saturday, May 31, where the two losing sides will battle for third place before the grand final determines the Unity Cup 2025 champions. Nigeria, as two-time winners of the tournament, will be eager to add another title to their collection.
Beyond the Unity Cup, reports indicate that the Super Eagles could also face Russia in June, adding another layer of intrigue to their international schedule. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to confirm this fixture, leaving fans eagerly awaiting official word.
For coach Eric Chelle, these matches present a valuable opportunity to assess his squad ahead of crucial competitive games later in the year. With fierce rivalries, national pride, and team preparation at stake, the Super Eagles are set for an action-packed few weeks on the international stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 3, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Hafiz Ibrahim’s story is one of resilience, talent, and an unshakable belief in his dreams. Rejected by Chelsea but now thriving in France, the 19-year-old Nigerian forward has propelled Stade Reims to their first Coupe de France final in 48 years, proving that fate often has bigger plans than setbacks.
It was a night to remember at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Reims, chasing history, faced fourth-tier Cannes in a tense semi-final. Ibrahim wasted no time making his mark. In the 14th minute, he found himself at the right place, meeting Mamadou Diakhon’s pass with a composed finish to give his team the lead.
Cannes, undeterred by their underdog status, roared back early in the second half. A perfectly delivered corner met Cheikh N’Doye’s towering header, leveling the game at 1-1 and igniting home supporters. But Ibrahim had more magic to weave.
Just six minutes later, the young Nigerian dazzled on the right flank, delivering a pinpoint cross for substitute Teddy Teuma to fire home the winner. Reims held on for a dramatic 2-1 victory, booking a dream final against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Making of a Rising Star
Ibrahim’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Born in Kano, Nigeria, he first grabbed attention at the 2023 Viareggio Cup in Italy, scoring ten goals in the prestigious youth tournament. His dazzling displays attracted Chelsea, who invited him for a trial.
For nearly two months, he trained with the Blues, even catching the eye of owner Todd Boehly with a training hat-trick. But just when it seemed his Premier League dream was set, negotiations broke down, and his future became uncertain.
Instead of dwelling on disappointment, Ibrahim took a different path. Last summer, he signed with Reims from Nigeria’s Ojodu City Football Club, starting in the youth ranks before earning a senior call-up this year. His impact was immediate—an assist in a 3-1 win over Marseille, followed by his heroics in the Coupe de France semi-final.
Now, the stage is set for the biggest match of his young career. Against PSG, he has the perfect opportunity to show Chelsea—and the world—exactly what they missed out on.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 3, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Derrick Köhn’s future at Werder Bremen is hanging in the balance as the club faces financial hurdles in securing his permanent transfer from Galatasaray.
The German-Ghanaian left-back made an immediate impact upon arriving on loan last summer, impressing with his pace and attacking contributions in the first half of the season. However, his situation has taken a turn, with head coach Ole Werner relegating him to a substitute role in the last three matches.
Initially, Werder Bremen had planned to trigger the €5 million option to sign Köhn permanently, but financial concerns have thrown the deal into doubt. Sporting director Clemens Fritz acknowledged the defender’s strong performances but hinted that the club is “well positioned on the left,” adding more uncertainty to Köhn’s prospects at the club.
Amid Werder’s hesitation, interest in Köhn is growing. Reports suggest that a Bundesliga club and Serie A side Udinese Calcio have inquired about the 26-year-old. With his market value currently at €6 million, according to Transfermarkt, Köhn could be on the move again if Werder Bremen opts out of the deal.
As the season nears its conclusion, the coming weeks could be decisive for Köhn’s next career move.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 3, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Osman made a strong impact off the bench on Wednesday night, capping off Feyenoord’s dominant 4-1 victory over Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The teenage forward started the game on the sidelines but was introduced in the 65th minute, replacing Antoni Milambo. Wasting no time, Osman injected pace and flair into Feyenoord’s attack, keeping the Groningen defense on high alert.
As the match neared its end, Osman put the final stamp on Feyenoord’s emphatic win, scoring a brilliant goal in the 90th minute to seal the three points. His strike added to earlier goals from Igor Paixao, who netted a brace, and Anis Hadj Moussa.
Groningen’s lone goal came from Jorg Schreuders, but it was merely a consolation as Feyenoord’s attacking firepower proved too strong.
Osman’s performance further cements his growing influence at the club. With this latest goal, he has now tallied three goals and two assists in 18 Eredivisie appearances this season.
As Feyenoord continues their push for success, Osman’s contributions could be crucial in the final stretch of the campaign.
