₦airaland Forum

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen tops the list of Nigerian players whose teams crashed out of the Europa League round of 16 playoffs. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s Fenerbahce secured their spot after seeing off Belgian side Anderlecht.

Nigeria superstar Victor Osimhen was not available for the first leg of Galatasaray’s round of 16 playoffs last week due to card suspension watching from home as the Turkish giants were humbled 4-1 by AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium.

https://www.boldsportsng.com/four-nigerians-who-crashed-out-europa-league-playoffs/

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will have something to cheer about ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, as Ademola Lookman marked his return from injury with a goal on Tuesday.

The African Player of the Year, who had been sidelined with a knee injury since last month, found the net in Atalanta’s 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge. Lookman, showing no signs of rustiness, scored just a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Despite Atalanta’s loss, his return is a major boost for Chelle, who has been closely monitoring the fitness of his key players. The 26-year-old forward is expected to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s attack, especially with the Super Eagles needing to win all their remaining qualifiers.

https://www.boldsportsng.com/good-news-for-eric-chelle-as-ademola-lookman-returns-from-injury-with-goal/

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has slammed Ademola Lookman for missing a penalty in their 3-1 Champions League loss to Club Brugge on Tuesday, which led to their elimination from the competition.

Lookman, after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for several weeks, came off the bench at halftime with Atalanta trailing 3-0. However, he quickly scored seconds after coming on, reviving hopes of a comeback.

On the hour mark, Atalanta were awarded a penalty after Juan Cuadrado was fouled by Christos Tzolis. Lookman stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved by Simon Mignolet, boosting Club Brugge’s morale and securing their 3-1 win on the night and 5-2 aggregate victory.

https://www.boldsportsng.com/one-of-the-worst-ive-ever-seen-atalanta-coach-gasperini-slams-lookman-for-penalty-miss/

Super Eagles and Rangers defender Leon Balogun has urged the National team to have supreme confidence ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

The Super Eagles are currently facing an uphill battle in Group C of the qualifiers, sitting in fifth place with 3 points from four matches. They trail Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who occupy the top three spots, by four points.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/balogun-super-eagles-need-supreme-confidence-to-qualify-for-world-cup/

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman is fit and available for their Champions League second-leg playoff clash against Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Ademola Lookman’s injury had a significant impact on Atalanta’s performance, with the team managing only one win in six matches without him. His last appearance was in Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Como before he got injured prior to their Champions League clash against Barcelona.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/gasperini-confirms-lookmans-timely-return-for-ucl-clash/

Former Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi has reiterated his call for Chelsea to sign Victor Osimhen, revealing that the Nigerian striker’s childhood dream was to play for the Blues.

Chelsea expressed interest in signing Osimhen last summer, and the Nigerian striker hinted at his desire to play in the Premier League. Although the move fell through, Mikel Obi believes Osimhen’s ambition to join Chelsea remains strong.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/mikel-obi-victor-osimhen-always-wanted-to-play-for-chelsea/

D’Tigers and Los Angeles Lakers guard, Gabe Vincent, has been elected as Vice President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) of the NBA replacing Bismack Biyombo who served from 2019.

He will serve in the capacity alongside Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown who has been re-elected for the third time, New York Knicks’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Memphis Grizzlies’ Karen Jackson, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, and Toronto Raptors’ Garrett Temple.

Others are Grant Williams (first Vice President), Mason Plumlee, Secretary-Treasurer, and CJ McCollum, President.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/nba-players-union-welcomes-gabe-vincent-as-new-vice-president/

With exactly four weeks to their crucial matchday 5 CAF Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, Rwanda remains without a coach following the dismissal of German Torsten Spittler.

Spittler, who guided Amavubi to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in November in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, was relieved of his duties by the Rwanda Football Federation on January 21st. A permanent replacement has yet to be named with just one month until their World Cup qualifiers resume.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/four-weeks-to-eagles-clash-rwanda-still-searching-for-new-coach/

Maduka Okoye is set to miss the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe on March 17 and 24, as he is expected to return to full competitive fitness by April 13.

Despite speculation linking his absence to an alleged betting scandal, it is important to note that the former Watford goalkeeper is under investigation by Italian authorities and has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/maduka-okoye-to-return-april-23rd-from-injury/

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has expressed delight after scoring his first goal of the season, but even more excited because it secured all three points for Fulham in a 2-1 win over in-form Nottingham Forest.

Bassey netted the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, rising higher than his Super Eagles teammate Ola Aina to head the ball into the net. His goal sealed the victory and made Fulham the first team this season to complete a league double over Nottingham Forest.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/calvin-bassey-delighted-with-first-goal-of-the-season/

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi made his return to action for West Bromwich Albion, playing the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw away at Millwall in a SkyBet Championship encounter.

Ajayi had been sidelined since October 26th, when he suffered a hamstring injury in West Brom’s goalless draw against Cardiff City, forcing him to be replaced by Mason Holgate in the 79th minute. After undergoing successful surgery, he has now returned in time to bolster the Baggies’ push for a promotion playoff spot.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/semi-ajayi-makes-first-west-brom-start-after-3-months-14-days/

Organizers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon are setting their sights on achieving a Platinum Label at 10th edition of the event, scheduled to take place in Lagos on February 15th.

With over 60,000 professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts registered for the 42-kilometer race and more than 37,000 athletes confirmed for the double-gold labeled marathon, this year’s edition promises to be one of the most competitive yet.

Read more here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/over-40000-runners-set-for-10th-lagos-city-marathon-as-organizers-push-for-platinum-label/

D’Tigers power forward Precious Achiuwa scored a season-high 26 points to help the New York Knicks overcome a resilient Atlanta Hawks 149-148 in overtime at the Madison Square Garden.

Six players from both teams recorded points in double figures. Achiuwa scored 26 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in 42 minutes on the court, but it was Karl-Anthony Towns who grabbed the headlines with a game-high 44 points while adding 10 rebounds and three assists.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/achiuwa-grabs-season-high-26-points-as-knicks-edge-hawks-149-148-in-overtime/

After a lengthy and frustrating spell on the sidelines, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi finally made his long-awaited return to West Bromwich Albion’s squad in their 2-0 defeat to Blackburn.

The Nigerian international was named on the bench during the Championship clash at the Hawthorns on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/semi-ajayi-returns-to-west-brom-squad-after-four-months-out-with-hamstring-injury/

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Two-time Grammy award-winning Nigerian superstar artiste Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems has become a partner with Major League Soccer (MLS) side San Diego FC.

She becomes not only the first female Nigerian but the first female African to own a stake in a football team in the MLS. San Diego FC was founded in 2023 and competes in the MLS as a member of the Western Conference.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/tems-becomes-first-african-woman-to-own-stake-in-mls-team/

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho is set to make his Middlesbrough debut when they visit Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, with head coach Michael Carrick revealing that the Nigerian international is ‘desperate’ to get on the pitch.

Iheanacho joined the EFL Championship side on transfer deadline day from Spanish club Sevilla, where he spent just six months.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/iheanachos-desperate-to-play-michael-carrick/

Nottingham Forest’s head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Nigerian international, Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a broken nose due to an aerial collision during their FA Cup victory over Exeter on Tuesday.

Earlier in the game, Taiwo Awoniyi showcased his clinical finishing skills, scoring a composed goal to give Forest the lead after Ramon Sosa’s timely equalizer that effectively canceled out Exeter’s initial early advantage.

Read more here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/taiwo-awoniyi-diagnosed-with-broken-nose-after-nasty-collision/

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi netted his second goal of the season but sustained a nasty injury as Nottingham Forest defeated Exeter on penalties to qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest had previously secured a 2-0 win over Luton to advance to the fourth round, courtesy of goals from Ryan Yates and Ramon Sosa. Exeter, on the other hand, had beaten Oxford United 3-1 to reach this stage of the tournament.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/fa-cup-awoniyi-scores-injured-as-forest-beat-exeter-on-penalties/

Nigerian International and Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella has won the Werkself January Goal of the Month for his brilliant strike in a 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Nathan Tella’s breathtaking goal, his first in the Bundesliga this season, was a masterclass in precision and skill. The strike came early in the game against Borussia Dortmund when he got a header from Robert Andrich at the edge of the box, before unleashing a sublime first-time volley that soared into the net, leaving the opposition stunned.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/nathan-tellas-strike-against-dortmund-wins-goal-of-the-month/

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika will be aiming for his 15th UEFA Champions League appearance when Club Brugge hosts Atalanta at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze will be eyeing his fifth goal in the competition.

Club Brugge faces Atalanta in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 playoffs, while AC Milan—favoUrites on paper—take on Dutch side Feyenoord, also on Wednesday.

Onyedika, who has 14 Champions League appearances, all for Brugge, is expected to start once again for the Belgian giants.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/onyedika-chukwueze-eye-landmark-champions-league-appearance-goals/

Rinsola Babajide’s effort and Gift Monday’s 90th-minute goal earned UD Tenerife Women a comeback 2-1 win over Valencia in a Spanish Premera Division encounter on Sunday.

Valencia took an early lead in the 13th minute through Yasmin Mrabet. Tenerife came back strong in the second half and a stomp on Mari Jose inside the box was awarded as a penalty. Babajide put the penalty into the back of the net, her seventh goal of the season.

Monday handed the visitors the winner in the 90th minute. The former FC Robo and Bayelsa Queens striker in a one-on-one that the Nigerian did not miss, scoring her second of the morning and her tenth goal of the season.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/gift-mondays-90th-minute-goal-seals-victory-for-tenerife-against-valencia/

Super Eagles and Red Star Belgrade striker, Peter Olayinka, is stepping up his recovery process as he hopes to play a part for his club before the end of the season.

Olayinka had surgery in late October after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture and is expected to be out of action between six to nine months after surgery.

The Nigeria international is back at the club after spending time with family in Nigeria. He is currently in rehabilitation and a video shared on his Instagram page, he is seen in the exercise room working on his legs and stamina.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/peter-olayinka-steps-up-recovery-after-achilles-surgery/

Lagos-born Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo is the latest Nigerian athlete to become a Super Bowl champion. Ojomo was part of the Eagles’ dominant team that dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 at Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Ojomo finished the game with two tackles including a tackle for loss on an Isaiah Pacheco run during the second quarter of Philadelphia’s historic defensive effort. It is Ojomo’s first career Super Bowl ring.

Ojomo helped the Eagles limit Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to under 300 total yards, and a paltry 12 first downs. The Chiefs notched just 49 rushing yards.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/super-bowl-lix-lagos-born-moro-ojomo-wins-first-ever-championship-ring-as-with-philadelphia-eagles-beat-kansas-city-chiefs-40-22/

Head coach Éric Chelle and first assistant Hedi Taboubi visited Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi and Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi alongside other Super Eagles players ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

Read full story here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/chelle-visits-iwobi-ndidi-others-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers/

Super Eagles forward and reigning African Footballer of The Year award winner Ademola Lookman is expected to return from injury on February 22nd, Bold Sports reports.

Lookman suffered a knee injury on the eve of Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona, and has missed two other games after that. The Nigeria international will also miss the cub’s Champions League playoff doubleheader against Club Brugge on February 12th and 18th.

Read more here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/ademola-lookman-set-to-return-from-knee-injury-february-22/

Players of Nigerian descent who could win Super Bowl LIX ring on Sunday

This Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles isn’t just a clash of titans; it’s a showcase of the growing global influence on American football, with a notable contingent of players of Nigerian descent making their mark. Let’s delve a little deeper into these athletes and their roles:

Read more here: https://www.boldsportsng.com/players-of-nigerian-descent-who-could-win-a-super-bowl-lix-ring-on-sunday/

Former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, says Nigeria has a better chance of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations than they did back in 2013.

Emenike led the attacking line for the Eagles, scoring four goals and finishing as the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside Ghana’s Mubarak Wakaso. Nigeria went on to win the 2013 AFCON, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final, despite facing stronger teams on paper throughout the tournament.

Read more here. https://www.boldsportsng.com/emmanuel-emenike-backs-super-eagles-for-2025-afcon-glory-better-squad-than-2013/