Sporting Lagos Academy, a Nigerian club, secured a significant victory by defeating FC Tokyo 4-0 to win the Gothia Cup at Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Sweden, according to Sportblog247.com. Despite the senior team’s recent relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Academy’s success has provided a much-needed boost for the club.
Members of Nigeria’s Super Falcons had a tense experience in France as they prepared for the Paris 2024 Olympics, according to Sportblog247.com.
The team arrived in Bordeaux on Thursday after a training camp in Seville, Spain, and is gearing up for their first Olympic appearance in 16 years under the guidance of American head coach Randy Waldrum.
Following a closed-door friendly match against Canada in Malaga, where Nigeria lost 1-0 in regulation time but won 5-4 on penalties, the team traveled to Bordeaux via Paris. They are scheduled to begin their Olympic campaign against Brazil on July 25.
However, their hotel stay took a dramatic turn when players Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Tochukwu Oluehi, and a few others became trapped in an elevator. Despite the scare, the players stayed calm until they were rescued. One player vowed to avoid using the elevator for the remainder of their stay. After a few minutes, the elevator doors were pried open, and the players continued to their rooms on foot.
Meanwhile, four alternate squad members—Alani Jumoke, Ademola Morufat, Gift Monday, and Regina Otu—returned to Nigeria. They had trained with the 18 main players and were named as substitutes in case of injuries. Ifeoma Onumonu, initially on the alternate list, was promoted to the main squad after Halimotu Ayinde’s injury ruled her out of the Olympics.
Before leaving, the alternate players visited the Nigerian Embassy in Paris.
Nigeria is set to compete in a tough group at the Olympics, facing Brazil, world champions Spain, and Japan. The Super Falcons have a record of one win and eight losses in Olympic women’s football tournaments.
Victor Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 for an initial fee of €40m, with add-ons increasing the total cost to €77.50m.
The president of Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is open to reducing Victor Osimhen’s €130m release clause to facilitate the striker’s departure from the club, according to Sportblog247.com. Despite confirming the Super Eagles striker will leave this summer, De Laurentiis has struggled to receive the exact offer he wanted for Osimhen. The Nigerian star recently signed a new contract with Napoli, extending his stay and including a €130m release clause.
As per Corriere dello Sport, Napoli is willing to slightly lower their demands to facilitate Osimhen’s move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Parisians need a striker following the sale of Kylian Mbappé, and Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has flown to France to smooth out the transfer details.
Osimhen’s exit has been delayed due to a lack of concrete proposals, even though Napoli has communicated their intent to cash in on the 2022/2023 Serie A Golden Boot winner. The 25-year-old’s massive release clause has been a significant barrier to his departure from the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
While it seems Osimhen might be heading back to France, Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, is also monitoring the situation, hoping for a reduction from De Laurentiis. If Napoli lowers the fee, the two-time UEFA Champions League winners may attempt to hijack the deal.
Osimhen has scored 107 goals and provided 18 assists in 133 games for Napoli across all competitions.
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has shared the inspiring story behind Deborah Abiodun’s move to the Pittsburgh Panthers women’s soccer team, according to Sportblog247.com.
In 2023, Abiodun received a full scholarship offer from the University of Pittsburgh’s women’s soccer team after impressing for Nigeria’s U20 national team. The talented youngster was part of the Falconets’ squad at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in 2022. Although Nigeria were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Netherlands, the Falconets made a significant impact by topping Group C with wins over France, Canada, and South Korea.
Abiodun stood out in midfield, with her energetic and intelligent performances catching the eye of Super Falcons head coach Waldrum. He was already considering promoting the then-Rivers Angels FC star to the senior team when Abiodun took a bold step that changed her life.
Waldrum, who also coaches the University of Pittsburgh’s women’s soccer team, facilitated Abiodun’s scholarship and her move to the United States. He recounted this life-changing encounter to Channel 11 via Yahoo Sports as Nigeria prepared for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Abiodun has been named in the squad. This marks Nigeria’s first Olympic qualification in 16 years.
“Deb came to me and said, ‘Will you take me to your school? I want to go to college, and I want to get an education,’” Waldrum said.
Abiodun joined the Pitt Panthers and had a stellar debut season, scoring six goals in 22 games. Later in 2023, at 19, she made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut for Nigeria against Canada, although she received a red card during stoppage time after a VAR review — the first red card of the tournament.
Abiodun will make her first Olympic appearance in August, hoping to overcome her World Cup setback and help Nigeria impress at the games.
Southampton and Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu is on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Okhdood, according to Sportblog247.com.
Onuachu joined Southampton in January 2023 from KRC Genk in a deal worth €18 million. However, he struggled to make an impact, failing to score in 12 games. The striker then spent last season on loan at Turkish club Trabzonspor, where he regained his form, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists in 25 games.
Despite his return to Saints training, the club is keen on permanently selling him, with several Turkish clubs showing interest in his services. However, it appears Onuachu will be heading to Saudi Arabia after agreeing on personal terms with Al-Okhdood, who are now negotiating the deal structure with Southampton, according to Arriyadiyah.
Onuachu, 30, has played in Europe since 2012, representing clubs like FC Midtjylland, Vejle BK, and KRC Genk, where he scored 85 goals in 134 appearances. He won the Belgian Golden Shoe with 33 goals in 2021, was named Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year for 2021, and claimed the Ebony Shoe in the same year. With Nigeria, he was part of the team that reached the 2023 AFCON final and also earned a bronze medal in the 2019 tournament.