Osimhen Fires Galatasaray to Turkish Super Lig Title with Winning Brace Nigerian international Victor Osimhen once again proved why he remains one of Europe’s most lethal forwards after scoring twice to help Galatasaray secure a dramatic 4-2 victory over Antalyaspor and clinch the Turkish Super Lig title. The highly anticipated encounter carried enormous significance for Galatasaray, who needed all three points to officially confirm their status as champions of Turkey. With the pressure mounting and expectations soaring among supporters inside a packed stadium, the visitors threatened to spoil the celebrations after taking the lead shortly before halftime. Antalyaspor capitalised on a defensive lapse in the closing moments of the first half, with Dikmen finishing calmly to stun the home crowd and hand his side a 1-0 advantage going into the break. READ ALSO: http://localhost:8009/turkish-embassy-strengthen-ties-with-nigeria-holds-cuisine-week/ Despite the setback, Galatasaray returned for the second half with renewed determination and attacking intent. Their persistence paid off in the 56th minute when Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina produced a composed finish to bring the defending champions level at 1-1. The momentum of the game continued to swing dramatically as Antalyaspor restored their lead just six minutes later. Dikmen grabbed his second goal of the night in the 62nd minute, silencing the Galatasaray faithful once again and putting the title celebrations on hold. With the pressure intensifying, Osimhen stepped forward to inspire his side when they needed him most. PLEASE READ: http://localhost:8009/akpabio-assures-turkiye-of-sustained-bilateral-relations-with-nigeria/ The Super Eagles striker equalised in the 66th minute with a clinical finish that reignited belief throughout the stadium. His movement, composure, and instinct inside the penalty area once again highlighted why he has become a fan favourite since arriving in Turkey. As the match approached its closing stages, Galatasaray pushed aggressively for the winning goal while Antalyaspor struggled to contain the relentless attacking pressure. Osimhen eventually delivered the decisive moment in the 88th minute. The Nigerian forward found space inside the box before firing home his second goal of the match to complete the turnaround and send supporters into wild celebrations. The victory was sealed deep into stoppage time when defender Kaan Ayhan added a fourth goal, ensuring Galatasaray wrapped up the contest in emphatic fashion. RELATEDLY: http://localhost:8009/130m-rated-victor-osimhen-man-united-get-major-boost-as-bayern-back-down/ The triumph confirmed Galatasaray as Turkish Super Lig champions for a fourth consecutive season, further strengthening the club’s dominance in Turkish football. Osimhen’s contribution throughout the campaign has been immense. Since joining Galatasaray from Napoli, the prolific striker has established himself as one of the most important players in the squad. The Nigerian star has now scored an astonishing 61 goals in just 75 appearances for the Istanbul giants, underlining his consistency and importance to the club’s recent success. Beyond his goalscoring ability, Osimhen’s leadership, work rate, and influence in crucial matches have made him a central figure in Galatasaray’s continued dominance both domestically and in European competitions. His latest heroics will also come as encouraging news for Nigerian football fans ahead of upcoming international fixtures, with the striker continuing to demonstrate elite form at the highest level. With another league title secured and Osimhen continuing to shine, Galatasaray supporters will now be hoping the club can build on their domestic success and make a deeper impact in European football next season.
Chelle Praises Eagles’ Grit as Nwabali Secures AFCON 2025 Bronze
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties to lead Nigeria to a 4–2 shootout win over Egypt, securing the bronze medal at AFCON 2025. Coach Eric Chelle praised the team’s resilience and collective effort.
AFCON 2024 Qualifier: Madugu Replaces Oshoala, Echegini
Coach Justin Madugu has been compelled to pick replacements for forward Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Jennifer Echegini after the duo voluntarily opted out of the Super Falcons’ squad that is due to contest a 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Cape Verde, with the first leg in Abuja in four days. NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf, said the two players had been sent their flight tickets to travel to Nigeria a whole week before they announced on Saturday that they would be unable to join the squad. “We were surprised that they had the flight tickets for so long and did not say anything, only for them to send different messages on Saturday that they would be unable to make the trip. However, Coach Madugu has moved swiftly to call up replacements for them,” disclosed Yusuf. Midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying fixture against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and forward Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out, saying she is nursing an injury. Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator that she will be undergoing a surgery. Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih to once again fill the space vacated by Ayinde, while Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel will take the place of Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal. Nigeria U20 Girls’ ace forward Chioma Olise will take the place of US-based Echegini while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to take Oshoala’s place. The Super Falcons will host the first leg of the fixture against their counterparts from Cape Verde at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30th November, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago-Estadio Nacional Blue Shark in Praia on Tuesday, 5th December. NEW LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France) Midfielders: Motunrayo Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens) Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiamaka Chukwu (Rivers Angels); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).
Int’l Friendly: Eagles Set To Strike Mambas As World Cup Race Beckons
After conceding a last-minute goal that tied their encounter with Saudi Arabia 2-2 in Portimäo on Friday, the Super Eagles are determined to earn a win over the Mambas of Mozambique on Monday in order to have a positive mindset ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next month. Forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who changed the tenor of the game and netted a spectacular second goal against the Green Falcons, will not be available to Coach Jose Peseiro on Monday having left the camp to attend to personal matters. Also unavailable is Ballon d’Or Dozen-shortlister Victor Osimhen, who is nursing a hamstring injury. Yet, Peseiro is bullish ahead of the encounter, insisting he has a clutch of forwards who can send packing the southern Africans in their only fifth-ever clash with Nigeria at senior level. “We will miss Kelechi and Victor, but we have other good players who can make Nigeria proud. I look at the bench and see players who can step up and take their chances.” The clash with the Mambas is the last gathering for the three-time African champions before the race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, in which they host the Crocodiles of Lesotho and then fly to play Zimbabwe’s Warriors away, all within a few days in November. In the absence of Iheanacho and Osimhen, Peseiro will have to cast his lot with Terem Moffi, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar and Moses Simon, and hope that Alex Iwobi comes to the party in his playmaking role to supply ammunition to the forwards. Defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Jordan Torunarigha and Chidozie Awaziem, and midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika did not taste action against the Saudis, and could prove to be Peseiro’s aces against the Mambas at the Estadio Municipal de Portimäo on Monday. Nigeria and Mozambique have met four times at senior level, with the Super Eagles winning a friendly match in Maputo by a lone goal, before home-and-away 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches that remain fresh in the memory till this day. Mambas’ forward ‘Tico Tico’ Bucuane proved a thorn in Nigeria’s flesh in the first encounter in Maputo that ended scoreless. At the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja in October 2009, it was heading to another 0-0 scoreline before Yusuf Ayila valiantly rescued an outbound ball that landed on the head of Victor Obinna Nsofor for the only goal of the match. Had the match ended 0-0, Nigeria would have been eliminated from the race to the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. Few months later, at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola, the Eagles spanked the Mambas 3-0 in Lubango to qualify for the tournament’s quarter finals.