George Ilenikhena has been handed a first time call up to the senior national team of Nigeria after a blistering start to the season in Saudi Arabia, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The 19 year old scored a brace last weekend to power them to a 2-1 win over Al Nassr taking his goals this season to five goals in six games in all competitions.

Like we exclusively reported head coach of the senior national team Eric Chelle succeeded in convincing the forward who was born in Nigeria, but raised in France to pledge his international future to Nigeria.

His explosive start to the season has now been rewarded with a first time call up to the senior national team of Nigeria, for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau respectively.

Super Eagles will begin their campaign to be at the 2027 AFCON with a home tie in Uyo against Madagascar on the 23rd of September before traveling to keep a date with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

New Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao is warming up to the idea of partnering Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen in the attack of his team in the league and the UEFA Champions League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Leao joined the Turkish side in the summer from Italian Serie A side AC Milan in one of the surprise move in the recently concluded summer transfer window.

A senior international with Portugal he played down criticism of his move to the Turkish side, mentioning other big name players who have represented the Turkish side in the past.

“I already knew Galatasaray. It’s a great club. Great legends like Drogba, Hagi, and Sneijder have played here”, he told the club’s channel.

“It’s a team built to compete at the highest levels, to beat the big clubs in other leagues and the best teams in the Champions League. In my opinion, Galatasaray has always been at the top. I want to provide 100 assists for Osimhen this season”, he joked.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has been left out of the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers games in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Super Eagles will begin their campaign to be at the 2027 AFCON with a home tie in Uyo against Madagascar on the 23rd of September before traveling to keep a date with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Head coach Eric Chelle will be without Nnadi, who took advantage of the summer round of international friendly games to play his way into the plans of the coach for the upcoming competitive games.

However an injury picked up while on duty in the Ligue 1 with Marseille has ruled him out of the squad for the game, with Alhassan Yusuf who plays in the MLS for New England Revolution.

The 26 year old gave a good account of himself in the summer friendlies as well, and has started the season really well with five goals and two assists from 23 games.

There is also a return for Monza midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro, who missed the summer friendly games due to illness.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Like we exclusively reported last week Alverca of Portugal left back Isaac James has been handed his maiden invitation to the senior national team of Nigeria.

22 year old James has been on the radar of the coach of the Super Eagles Eric Chelle, since last season where he had his breakthrough at the Portuguese side following his arrival for free from French side Lorient.

This season Chelle has posted his scouts to watch the young left back on three separate occasions, and was heavily impressed with the reports he received.

With the injury to Zaidu which will keep him out for two months, the coach decided to ook his way although he faces tough competition from the duo of Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who have also been deployed in that role aside their primary role as right back.

However he was contacted by Chelle and told about his inclusion in the provisional list of pla,yers called up for the AFCON qualifiers games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau respectivy.

Bruno Onyemaechi will however retain his position as the first choice going into the games.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene has received his invitation to be a part of the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers games later this month, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Bewene made his international bow for Nigeria against Poland and didn’t look out of place, and he followed it up with another stellar performance against Portugal.

He did enough to impress Chelle, who has now handed him a chance to make his competitive debut for Nigeria when they take on Madagascar in Uyo, and travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second game in the qualifiers.

Comfortable as a right back or in midfield, he faces strong competition from the trio of Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ryan Alebiosu to give a look in for the right back spot.

Chelle’s faith in him could however proved pivotal with the coach sticking with him despite his failure to secure a summer transfer from Czech Republic to a more glamorous and competitive league.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen is in a race against time to be fit for the Super Eagles upcoming AFCON qualifiers games in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Osimhen continued his fire brand start of the season for Galatasaray with the opener for his team in the 16th minute. His sixth goal of the season in four games.

However he went off injured in the 33rd minute with what looked like a groin injury, which will possibly keep him out of the Super Eagles games at the start of the AFCON qualifiers.

Super Eagles will begin their campaign to be at the 2027 AFCON with a home tie in Uyo against Madagascar on the 23rd of September before traveling to keep a date with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

His participation in the games is now seriously in doubt, although his club Galatasaray are expected to make a statement on the severity of the possible length of time he is expected to be out.

Respected Turkish doctor Dr. Gürkan Kubilay while commenting on the injury said Osimhen most likely tore the ligaments inside the muscle in this position. In such injuries, players are generally sidelined for three to four months.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen is in a race against time to be fit for the Super Eagles upcoming AFCON qualifiers games in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Osimhen continued his fire brand start of the season for Galatasaray with the opener for his team in the 16th minute. His sixth goal of the season in four games.

However he went off injured in the 33rd minute with what looked like a groin injury, which will possibly keep him out of the Super Eagles games at the start of the AFCON qualifiers.

Super Eagles will begin their campaign to be at the 2027 AFCON with a home tie in Uyo against Madagascar on the 23rd of September before traveling to keep a date with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

His participation in the games is now seriously in doubt, although his club Galatasaray are expected to make a statement on the severity of the possible length of time he is expected to be out.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

One time Super Eagles invitee Kingsley Ehizibue has joined Italian Serie A side Genoa on a free transfer after spending the last four years with fellow league side Udinese, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Following the expiration of his contract with Udinese the 31 year old right back, who was invited to the senior national team of Nigeria by former coach Gernot Rohr has found a new home.

Ehizibue couldn’t honour the invitation back then due to issues on his status in the Netherlands and how it affects his right to dual nationality. A situation that he said has been resolved.

“Genoa CFC announces that it has completed the signing of winger Kingsley Ehizibue, a new addition to the squad for the 2026/27 season. Born on May 25, 1995, Ehizibue has played for Udinese over the last four seasons. In the last Serie A season, Enilive reported, he made 32 appearances, scoring two goals and playing a very high number of minutes (over 1,900 minutes). The player has undergone medical checks at the CDS – La Tu a Casa della Salute facilities, signing a multi-year contract with the club. He will begin training with his teammates in the coming days”, a statement on the website of the club reads.

The chief of football at the club Diego Lopez also have his opinion on the signing. “Ehizibue brings sprint, ample mileage, and knowledge of the league: always a plus. With Kingsley, we’ve finalized the full-back roster. We’re counting on his athleticism and adaptability to be ready to contribute quickly.”

Reacting to the statements, Ehizibue who rejected an offer to join the team previously said “As a believer, it’s the best way to ask for forgiveness after having backed out of the offer I received years ago. Things change, and my outlook has changed. I want to get involved, and I feel joy in knowing I’ll be representing Genoa. I thank the club.”

Daniel Martins

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has spring surprises in the Super Eagles preliminary list of players for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau respectivy, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Super Eagles will begin their campaign to be at the 2027 AFCON with a home tie in Uyo against Madagascar on the 23rd of September, before traveling to keep a date with Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Chelle who wants his team to start on a high will begin the process of sending out preliminary invitations by Monday, before settling for a 30 man list for the games.

We can exclusively reveal that the coach in his preliminary list included a new defender and also a winger. Both players have been on the radar of the coach like we exclusively reported few months ago.

There is however no confirmation if they will be in the final list of players expected in two weeks time.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion have made public their list of registered players for their campaign in the group stage of the Europa Conference League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Brighton will open their campaign with a home opener against FK Kauno Žalgiris before trips to the Czech Republic, Spain and Greece.

The standout fixture sees AS Monaco visit Brighton in December, while another trip to Athens to face Panathinaikos completes an intriguing European schedule.

Head coach Fabian Hürzeler took a very shocking decision by leaving out the established wing duo of Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma from his list of registered players, although both players are currently working their way to full fitness.

They could be included after the group stage, with their spots going to the Nigerian duo of Zadok Yohanna and Femi Azeez who were both signed in the summer.

Zadok joined from Swedish side AIK while Azeez who is already a senior international with Nigeria was signed from English Championship side Millwall. Both players will be playing in European club competition for the first time.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

With two more days left before the transfer window closes in Saudi Arabia there are reports linking Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu with a move there from Trabzonspor, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Onuachu who was top scorer in the league last season with both players netting 22 goals each has been in the news regarding a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal, but Trabzonspor rejected it.

Trabzonspor even threatened to report the Saudis to FIFA over their approach, but it appears like things have gone down a bit and they are now open to the exit of the 32 year old Nigerian forward.

The signing of Mohammed Salah which many say will struggle to form a tandem with the Nigerian, made the club to tender an offer to sign Brazilian forward Richarlison from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

The likely arrival of Richarlison means they are now open to Onuachu’s exit and an unnamed team in Saudi has tendered a €9m bid, and also a salary proposal which is three times his current pay.

Reports say the club are waiting for a response from the lanky striker in the next 48 hours , and will respect his decision but they are hoping he accepts the move.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman