Nigerian Football
IGHALO BECOMES CULT HERO AT MANCHESTER UNITED!
According to the Daily Mail of UK, Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo was meant to be a temporary fix, but he is quickly becoming a cult hero at Manchester United and could extend his stay beyond the current season.
ODION IGHALO AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Games: 6
Starts: 2
Shots: 14
Shots on target: 8
Goals: 3
The deadline day signing has already scored three goals in two starts and is making a mockery of those who doubted him.
The
Nigerian is grasping his dream with both hands and giving United a decision to
make as to whether they give their boyhood fan an extended stay at Old
Trafford.
The 30-year-old joined in January on a loan deal until the end of the season after the club failed to land Josh King from Bournemouth.
Ighalo
was seen a rushed, panic signing as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately looked to
add another attacking option to his squad.
The former Watford man was hardly on the radar of other Premier League clubs, plying his trade for Shanghai Shenhua in China, and few expected he would be the answer to United’s problems.
Speaking to The Guardian at the start of February, Rio Ferdinand questioned whether the forward could live up to Old Trafford expectations.
‘Ighalo has played in the English Premier League before, but one thing I am concerned about is that he is coming from China… they are trying to build a league there, but the standard is not up to the Premier League.’
Paul Scholes was another former United player to suggest Ighalo would struggle to meet the level expected of him.
‘I don’t think he’s a signing for the long term,’ he told Robbie Savage’s Premier League Breakfast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘I think his scoring record in China is very good but is it that credible? I don’t know.’
But a goal in his first start in the Europa League against Club Brugge and two more in the FA Cup against Derby has forced both to make a u-turn.
Scholes admitted the striker looked sharp against the Belgian side and predicted him to get more chances while Ferdinand said the forward offers the team a reference point and gives other players opportunities to run off him with his hold-up play.
What United have been lacking this season is a box striker, someone who can play with his back to goal but also get himself in the right position to finish off chances.
All three of the striker’s goals have been scored inside the penalty area with two being one-touch finishes.
As well as his two starts in cup matches he has also had three brief cameo appearances off the bench in the Premier League and his manager praised his shooting accuracy.
‘He had chances against Watford, he had a very good save against Everton – there have been good saves, he doesn’t miss the target very often.’
Four of Ighalo’s five shots against Derby hit the target and his record in China was also good with a shooting accuracy of 57.3 per cent in 2018. In comparison, Marcus Rashford’s was 48.2 and 31.7 in previous campaigns.
But it’s not just what he brings to the team on the pitch that United fans appreciate.
The forward’s love for the club and willingness to give everything is something that has been lacking in recent squads.
His signing even sparked street parties in his homeland as he became the first Nigerian to pull on the famous shirt.
After scoring his first United goal Ighalo told the club’s website he would ‘give his blood’ to get more opportunities.
‘This is what I dream of and what I dreamt of when I was a kid. Now it is in my hands so I have to fight for it. I will give my blood to get it.
The striker is also not afraid of wearing his heart on his sleeve and has promised to dedicate every goal he scores to his late sister who was also a United fan.
There are still question marks over whether Rashord and Anthony Martial are strikers or wingers but there’s no uncertainty with Ighalo.
The loan deal for the striker does not include an option to buy but Solskjaer has already admitted he could extend his stay beyond the summer.
And with all domestic fixtures in China currently postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, a permanent move away from the Super League could suit Ighalo.
The Nigerian was meant to be a temporary fix but it looks like he could have a big role to play for the remainder of this season and beyond.
Nigerian Football
Tiger Street Football Tournament Heads for Grand Finale in Awka After Electrifying Weekend
The maiden Nigerian edition of the Tiger Street Football Tournament is nearing its climax in Awka, following an action-packed weekend that blended grassroots football with music, street culture, and celebration.
The atmosphere around the venue was electric as DJs and hype men kept the energy high between matches, while food vendors, entertainers, and Tiger Beer enthusiasts turned the event into a full-blown street festival — a vibrant showcase of football, rhythm, and camaraderie.
From 16 teams that began the competition, only four now remain in contention for the ₦5 million grand prize, after thrilling quarterfinal fixtures held on Sunday, October 19.
In a day filled with goals and grit, Sunday Sparks, Peace Warriors, Peace Dominion, and Peace Ambassadors booked their places in the semi-finals.
- Sunday Sparks continued their dominant run with a 3–0 victory over Young Stars. Peace Warriors edged Star Boys 2–1 in a tense contest.
- Peace Dominion narrowly defeated Super Strikers 1–0, while Peace Ambassadors overcame Mgbakwu Pillars 2–1 to complete the semi-final lineup.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, October 25, where Sunday Sparks will face Peace Warriors, and Peace Dominion will take on Peace Ambassadors. The winners will advance to the grand finale later that same day at the highly anticipated “Tiger Uncaged” celebration.
Football fans in Awka have hailed the tournament as a breath of fresh air for local talent.
“The energy here is unbelievable. It feels like the real spirit of Nigerian football — no big names, just passion,” said Ifeanyi Okeke, a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
“Kudos to Tiger Beer for bringing something this exciting to Awka. It’s giving young players real hope.”
Another fan, Chisom Udeh, described the event as “a refreshing celebration of local talent.” She added: “You can see the joy on the players’ faces — this is football in its purest form. Tiger Beer really deserves credit for supporting the streets and turning it into something this big.”
The grand finale will take place at Newberries Lounge, Awka, featuring a lively mix of football, music, and street culture. The event will be hosted by Uzor and headlined by Jeriq, with DJ sets from DJ SkyBlisz, DJ Snow, and DJ Kay-Y, alongside performances from Wanni & Handi. Hype men Twix da Jims and Slymshady will keep the crowd charged throughout the evening.
Fans will also have the chance to win exciting prizes in raffle draws during the finale. Organisers have reminded attendees that the event is strictly for persons aged 18 and above and encouraged everyone to enjoy responsibly.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigerian Football
Brazil-Based Nigerian Star Fashanu Michael Ifeoluwa Tipped for Super Eagles Call-Up
By Bolaji Okunola
Emerging Nigerian football prodigy Fashanu Michael Ifeoluwa, popularly known as Fash11, is being closely monitored for a potential Super Eagles call-up following his dazzling performances in the Brazilian U-20 league.
The Fortaleza FC forward has taken the Brazilian youth scene by storm, scoring seven goals and providing two assists to power his club to victory in the league — a feat that has thrust his name into Nigeria’s senior national team conversation.
Before his move to Brazil, Fashanu honed his skills at Dynamic Plus Soccer Academy, a Nigerian grassroots club renowned for grooming young talents who have represented the country on the global stage.
His exploits at the academy caught the eye of international scouts during a scouting programme jointly organised by ATJ Sports and Trivella Brazil seven months ago — a move that ultimately secured his transfer to Fortaleza.
With Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle currently assembling his provisional squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier playoff and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Fashanu’s form has sparked excitement among Nigerian fans and analysts who see him as part of the nation’s next generation of attacking talents.
Speaking on his recent success, the young forward expressed pride in his achievement and eagerness to represent Nigeria at the highest level.
“Winning a tournament like this in a football country like Brazil is a dream come true,” he said. “I never imagined it could happen so quickly in my short spell with the club. This success motivates me to push harder, and I look forward to wearing the green and white jersey to make my country proud if given the opportunity.”
With his pace, flair, and goal-scoring instinct, Fashanu Michael Ifeoluwa could soon join the growing list of Nigerian stars making waves from South America to the global stage — a bright prospect for the future of Nigerian football.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, became an unexpected star attraction at the just-concluded World Football Summit in Madrid, thanks to a spontaneous late-night call to Nigerian football legend, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha.
Narrating his experience in Madrid, Elegbeleye revealed how what started as a casual conversation during the summit’s gala dinner turned into a moment of surprise and excitement for global football executives.
According to him, the gala night—attended by top football administrators, investors, and professionals—had barely begun when some guests at his table became curious about Nigerian football. One Japanese delegate from the J-League leaned in and asked, “Do you know Jay-Jay Okocha?”
Elegbeleye smiled and replied confidently, “Jay-Jay? That’s my close friend.”
That statement immediately captured everyone’s attention. Though it was already past 11 p.m. in Nigeria, a Turkish delegate urged him to place a call to the former Super Eagles captain. Amid cheers and laughter, Elegbeleye obliged—and the atmosphere changed instantly.
“The moment they saw Jay-Jay’s WhatsApp display picture, the whole table went agog,” Elegbeleye recounted. “When he answered the call, the excitement in the room was unbelievable. People from nearby tables came over just to say hello to him.”
The NPFL boss joked that for several minutes, he and his phone became the “beautiful bride” of the evening, as guests lined up to exchange brief greetings with Okocha.
But the story didn’t end there. A Portuguese investor involved in ParaSoccer, visibly thrilled after speaking with the Nigerian icon, decided to express his admiration in a most unusual way — by upgrading Elegbeleye’s hotel room from a standard single to a deluxe executive suite.
“All because I’m friends with Jay-Jay Okocha,” Elegbeleye said humorously. “Next time I check in at my regular Eurostars Madrid hotel, they’ll probably wonder why I’m not in the super deluxe suite.”
The NPFL chairman concluded the tale with a touch of gratitude and amusement: “So, thanks, Jay-Jay, for making me a temporary big man in Madrid. But no thanks — because now I have a reputation to maintain.”
The incident has since become one of the lighthearted highlights of the World Football Summit, underscoring Okocha’s enduring global appeal and Nigeria’s rich football heritage.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Victor Ochei Elected Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Promises New Era of Growth and Unity
2026 WAFCON Qualifiers: Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Mali Poised for Morocco 2026
Sundowns Crush Remo Stars to Seal CAF Champions’ League Group Stage Spot
- Athletics5 days ago
Nigeria to Host First-Ever Africa Running Conference in Lagos
- FIFA RANKING1 week ago
Nigeria Jumps Four Places in New FIFA Rankings; Stirs Optimism in Local Football Circles
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Jay-Jay Okocha Call Turns NPFL Boss to Instant Celebrity in Madrid
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Remo Stars Host Mamelodi Sundowns in Crucial CAF Champions League Showdown
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Tiger Street Football Tournament Heads for Grand Finale in Awka After Electrifying Weekend
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Black Bulls Edge Rivers United 1–0 in CAF Champions League Clash
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Two Decades After Their Defeat, Mamelodi Sundowns Return to Abeokuta
- CAF Champions League1 day ago
Rivers Flow into CAF Champions’ League Group Stage as First Nigerian Team in Nine Years