Nigerian Football
Victor Osimhen has told Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag exactly what he wants to hear
Manchester United might have a £100million-plus coin to flip during the summer transfer window as they eye up the next step in their impressive rebuild.
Having allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to leave mid-season, the choice is quite simple for Erik ten Hag and his side moving forward; would they benefit most from having Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane around? In reality with so many factors at play, things will be a little more complex than making it a straight decision.
But as their public chase for Frenkie de Jong proved last summer, there are ways to combat missing out on primary targets. In that case, Ten Hag used the funds put aside for his former Ajax protégé to snap-up Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Not a bad contingency plan by any means.
When it comes to their impending striker search, question number one for Ten Hag and key figures behind the scenes is do they want a frontman who thrives on running in behind and playing off the shoulder, or one who’s much better suited to dropping deep and, simultaneously, acting as a playmaker.
Osimhen and Kane offer different strengths and Ten Hag will have to tweak his tactical blueprint accordingly if he wins the race for one or the other. Crucially, though, you would expect either to guarantee goals and, in turn, that will take some pressure off the sensational Marcus Rashford.
Although early plans are in place to sign a long-term successor for Ronaldo next summer, outside noise will no doubt play a huge part in United signing their next No.9 in the positional sense. Will those selling clubs play ball and, if so, how much will Scudetto hopefuls Napoli or Tottenham demand for their prized assets?
United can only control so much by confirming their return to the Champions League or by showing just how enticing it would be to be the star attraction for a Ten Hag team. However, even prior knowledge of that was not enough to aid them last summer.
Despite their healthy relationship, Ten Hag did not get that nod from De Jong as he opted to stay put at Camp Nou for (at least) another season. United might be able to learn from that in terms of how long they pursue the top striking targets, but in many ways their market “failure” was out of their hands.
De Jong never truly appeared comfortable on a move and that must be the first requirement thrown towards Osimhen or Kane next summer. Fortunately for Ten Hag, though, the former has already seemingly opened the door when it comes to a potential big-money move, so that puts Osimhen in his crosshairs.
“When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching,” acknowledged Osimhen during a chat with ESPN before leading Napoli to victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday night. His opener in a 2-0 win was his 20th goal of the season.
In turning home once again on the biggest stage, Osimhen was able to outshine one of the alternative options who have been tentatively linked with United – Randal Kolo Muani – who was dismissed before watching yet another masterclass Osimhen audition conclude.
“I’m focused on Napoli, right now, and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies. At the end of the season, we will see what’s going to happen, but that is not up to me. It’s for the club to decide.” That middle sentence will have mostly been music to Ten Hag’s ears.
Despite putting his faith in Anthony Martial pre-season, the United manager has seldom been able to deploy his first-choice striker this campaign due to four separate injury setbacks. That makes it all the more incredible to note what the Dutchman has achieved, and might yet achieve, before the close of play.
Change is afoot in that regard and United will target a long-term successor to Ronaldo and Martial when the market reopens. Osimhen did not exactly issue a come-and-get-me plea with his comments, but they have to be seen as a green light for United and other potential suitors to come calling.
-MEN
Players and officials of Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have resumed camping in Abuja as preparations intensify for the final round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Several invited players arrived in camp on Monday, April 6, 2026, with full training sessions commencing the following day as the team began serious build-up toward the decisive fixtures. The technical crew has since engaged the squad in intensive drills focused on fitness, tactical organisation, and team cohesion, while awaiting the arrival of the remaining invitees.
At the team’s first training session, Head Coach Moses Aduku charged the players to approach the assignment with utmost seriousness, stressing the need for discipline, unity, and mental strength.
He reminded the squad of the magnitude of the task ahead as they prepared to confront a determined Malawi women’s national under-20 football team in the final qualifying round.
The players, in response, expressed confidence and readiness, with many eager to secure Nigeria’s place at the global tournament. Training sessions have continued at a high tempo, with the coaching crew keen on ensuring peak physical and tactical condition before the first leg.
Malawi booked their place in the final round after edging past Guinea-Bissau women’s national under-20 football team in their previous fixture, setting up what promises to be a keenly contested tie.
The Falconets will host the first leg in Nigeria on Saturday, May 2, before travelling for the return leg in Malawi a week later in a two-legged showdown that will determine qualification.
Africa will be represented by four teams at the tournament, scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to 26, 2026, adding further significance to the upcoming encounter for the Nigerian side, which is aiming to maintain its strong pedigree in global youth women’s football.
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By Kunle Solaja
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is hurtling towards a dramatic finish, with fierce battles unfolding simultaneously at the top and bottom of the table as Matchday 33 delivered twists that have tightened the race on both fronts.
From Ikenne to Lafia and Ozoro, the weekend results have ensured that neither the title contenders nor the relegation-threatened sides can afford a moment’s slip in what promises to be a pulsating run-in.
Title Race Tightens
At the summit, Enugu Rangers reclaimed top spot, though only on goal difference, after being held to a goalless draw at home by Barau FC. The result took Rangers to 55 points, the same tally as Rivers United, but with a superior goal difference.
Rivers United, however, suffered a significant setback in Ozoro, falling 2-0 to Warri Wolves. The defeat could prove costly in a title race where every point now carries enormous weight. Goals from Igbunu Evwierhurhoma and Othuke Egbo handed Wolves a crucial victory while halting Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage.
Just behind the leading duo, Ikorodu City remain firmly in contention with 52 points and a game in hand. At the same time, Nasarawa United’s surprise home defeat to bottom-placed Kun Khalifat has dented their title aspirations. Shooting Stars, who also lost over the weekend, remain on 50 points but are now under pressure from teams below.
Abia Warriors, with 49 points and an outstanding fixture, are also quietly lurking within striking distance, underlining just how congested the upper half of the table has become.
Ikenne Revival Sparks Relegation Fight
While the title race grabs headlines, the relegation battle is equally gripping—and perhaps even more unpredictable.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars secured a vital 1-0 victory over regional rivals Shooting Stars in a tense South-West derby. Samuel Anakwe’s early second-half strike proved decisive, lifting Remo Stars to 40 points and providing a crucial lifeline in their fight for survival.
The win sees Remo Stars inch further away from immediate danger, but they remain deep in the relegation mix, where only a handful of points separate several teams.
Kwara United boosted their survival hopes with an emphatic 3-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors, moving to 39 points despite an earlier points deduction. Meanwhile, Kano Pillars’ resounding 4-0 win against Bendel Insurance has also strengthened their position, though they continue to feel the impact of disciplinary sanctions.
Bottom Club Sends Shockwaves
Perhaps the most dramatic result of the round came in Lafia, where bottom-placed Kun Khalifat stunned Nasarawa United with a 1-0 away victory—remarkably the only away win of the matchday.
Stanley Otu’s stoppage-time strike not only handed Kun Khalifat a rare triumph but also reignited their survival hopes. With 36 points, they remain at the foot of the table but have demonstrated that they are far from resigned to relegation.
Above them, Wikki Tourists (37 points) and Kwara United (39 points) are also locked in a desperate struggle to avoid the drop. At the same time, Bayelsa United, Enyimba, and Remo Stars are not yet safe in a tightly packed lower half.
Mid-Table Congestion Adds Intrigue
The middle of the table offers no comfort either. Teams such as Warri Wolves, Barau FC, Plateau United, and El-Kanemi Warriors are all clustered around the 43-point mark, meaning a short winning run could propel any of them into continental contention—or drag them into the relegation dogfight.
Warri Wolves’ victory over Rivers United may well be one of the defining results of the season, as it not only disrupted the title race but also boosted their own standing to ninth place.
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
Attention now turns to the outstanding fixtures scheduled for Monday, where Abia Warriors host Bayelsa United, while Plateau United face Ikorodu City. Both matches carry significant implications at both ends of the table.
For Ikorodu City, victory would take them level with the leaders, further intensifying the title race. For Bayelsa United and Plateau United, the stakes are equally high in their quest to steer clear of relegation trouble.
A Season on a Knife Edge
With five rounds of matches remaining for most teams, the NPFL is delicately poised for a thrilling climax. The battle for the title is as fierce as the fight for survival, with fine margins likely to determine who celebrates and who suffers heartbreak.
From the top where Rangers and Rivers United are locked on points, to the bottom where Kun Khalifat have refused to surrender, the 2025/2026 NPFL season is shaping up as a compelling contest of resilience, nerve, and consistency.
As the league heads into its final stretch, one thing is certain: every goal, every point, and every decision will matter.
The Current NPFL Table
Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Rangers International FC 33 15 10 8 39 24 15 55 2 Rivers United FC 33 15 10 8 33 27 6 55 3 Ikorodu City FC 32 14 10 8 33 26 7 52 4 Nasarawa United FC 33 14 8 11 31 27 4 50 5 Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 33 15 5 13 35 36 -1 50 6. Abia Warriors 32 14 7 11 27 25 2 49 7 Bendel Insurance FC 33 11 13 9 38 34 4 46 8 Katsina United FC 33 12 10 11 29 29 0 46 9 Warri Wolves 33 11 10 12 33 33 0 43 10 Barau FC 33 10 13 10 25 26 -1 43 11 Plateau United FC 32 13 4 15 33 35 -2 43 12 El-Kanemi Warriors FC 33 12 7 14 28 38 -10 43 13 Niger Tornadoes FC 33 12 6 15 34 31 3 42 14 Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals) 33 13 6 14 30 32 -2 42 15 Enyimba FC 33 10 10 13 35 37 -2 40 16 Bayelsa United FC 32 10 10 12 30 33 -3 40 17 Remo Stars FC 33 12 4 17 34 41 -7 40 18 Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals) 33 11 9 13 26 29 -3 39 19 Wikki Tourists FC 33 8 13 12 30 37 -7 37 20 Kun Khalifat FC 33 9 9 15 31 40 -9 36
Outstanding Matches: Monday, April 6
- Abia Warriors v Bayelsa United
- Plateau United v Ikorodu City
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Nigerian Football
Naze Community to Honour Late Super Eagles Legend Henry Nwosu with ‘Clash of Titans’ Novelty Match
By Joseph Odoekwu
The Naze community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State will on Sunday, April 5, stage a novelty football match in honour of their late son and former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu.
The event, tagged “The Clash of Titans,” will see Naze All Stars square off against Imo Football Legends at the Naze Secondary School field, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
Details of the tribute match emerged following a training session held on Thursday morning at the venue, where former players and participants in the long-running Henry Nwosu Cup resolved to take the lead in celebrating the legacy of the late football icon.
Naze All Stars will be made up of indigenes of the community who have featured in the Henry Nwosu Cup since its inception in 1985, while the Imo Football Legends side will parade notable ex-footballers from across the state.
The Ikuku Oma Foundation is organising the match in collaboration with the Naze Football Federation as part of activities to immortalise Nwosu, whose grassroots initiative transformed local football in the community.
Since its establishment over four decades ago, the Henry Nwosu Cup—played annually during the Christmas period—has grown into a major unifying and entertainment platform for Naze and neighbouring communities such as Ulakwo, Agbala and Egbu. Beyond football, the competition has also fostered social bonds, with several marriages reportedly stemming from relationships formed on matchdays.
There are also strong indications that Heartland FC manager and former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, could lead the Imo Football Legends side in Sunday’s encounter, adding further glamour to the occasion.
Members of the Naze All Stars who have confirmed participation include Ikuku Oma, Prof. Joe-Ken Nzerem, Ejike Urewuji, Nda Gboko, Oga Ekete, Oga Sarge, Oga Cho Cho, Man of God, Baba Urch, Oga Eshi ke Naze, Chief Agba I, Mmiri the Crown Prince (goalkeeper), Mr. Obiọma, Alkaline, among others.
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