The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a Gabonese officiating team for Rivers United’s CAF Champions League preliminary-round first-leg encounter against FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, with kick-off set for 4:00 pm local time, 5:00 pm in Nigeria.

Gabonese referee Cregue Flaury Moukagni has been selected as the centre referee and will be assisted by compatriots Amos Abeigne Ndong and Junior Assoughe.

Pierre Ghislain Atcho, also from Gabon, will serve as the fourth official.

Benin’s Innocent Atindehou has been appointed Match Commissioner, while Algeria’s Mohamed Lamine Benaissa will work as the Referee Assessor.

The encounter forms part of the first-leg preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, with Rivers United aiming to secure a favourable result in Côte d’Ivoire before the return fixture.

The Nigerian representatives will be hoping for a disciplined performance against FC San Pedro as they seek to take an early advantage in the two-legged tie.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been placed in Group B of the 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship, where they will face Niger Republic and Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The five-time FIFA U-17 World Cup champions will battle their West African rivals for a place in the knockout stages of the regional competition.

Hosts Burkina Faso headline Group A alongside Ghana, Togo and Benin, setting up an interesting group-stage contest.

The 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship is scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso from October 10 to 23, with the participating nations aiming for regional glory and the qualification opportunities that come with a strong performance.

The Golden Eaglets will be hoping to make their pedigree count as they begin their quest for another successful campaign at the regional level.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor has completed her move to Women’s Super League side Palace, with the club officially confirming the arrival of the Nigeria international, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Palace announced the signing in a statement welcoming the goalkeeper to the club.

"Welcome to Palace, Comfort. We are delighted to announce the signing of Nigeria international goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor,” the club stated.

Erhabor, who has represented Nigeria at senior international level, now begins a new chapter of her career in England with the Super League outfit.

The Nigerian goalkeeper will be aiming to establish herself within the squad and earn regular playing opportunities as she prepares for the upcoming campaign.

Her move to Palace provides another opportunity for Erhabor to continue her development at club level while strengthening her claim for further involvement with the Super Falcons.

Swedish-Nigerian centre-forward Jayson Ezeb has left FC Dordrecht and is now without a club, ending his latest spell with the Dutch second-tier side.

The 20-year-old departed Dordrecht on 4 September 2026 after returning from a loan spell with Macedonian club Rabotnicki earlier this year. Ezeb had been registered with Dordrecht at the start of the 2026-27 Keuken Kampioen Divisie season but did not make an appearance before leaving.

Standing at 1.93m, Ezeb is a right-footed striker whose primary position is centre-forward. He holds Swedish and Nigerian nationality.

Ezeb joined Rabotnicki on loan from Dordrecht on 9 February 2026 and returned to the Dutch club when that agreement ended on 30 June. He subsequently remained with Dordrecht through the start of the new campaign before his departure.

His time at Dordrecht followed an earlier move from Feyenoord’s under-19 side in July 2025. Ezeb initially joined Feyenoord’s youth set-up from Hammarby IF’s under-17 team in 2022, having previously been with Hammarby’s youth section.

The striker also spent a period on loan from Feyenoord’s under-18 side to Feyenoord Under-19 during the 2024-25 season before making his move to Dordrecht permanent in July 2025. His departure from Feyenoord Under-19 was recorded as a free transfer.

Ezeb’s latest change comes after a campaign in which his club record included a temporary move abroad and a return to the Netherlands. He is now available as an unattached player following his departure from Dordrecht.

Kingsley Ehizibue has completed a move from Udinese to Serie A rivals Genoa for the 2026/27 season, with the Nigerian defender set to begin work with his new team in the coming days.

The 31-year-old right-back joins Genoa after spending four years at Udinese. He moved to the club in 2022 from Bundesliga side FC Cologne and went on to make 119 appearances in all competitions.

During his time with Udinese, Ehizibue scored four goals and provided two assists. His switch to Genoa gives him the opportunity to continue his Serie A career while taking on a fresh challenge at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Ehizibue said he was delighted to have arrived at Genoa and suggested the move also carried personal significance after he previously chose not to accept an offer from the club.

“As a believer, this is the best way to ask for forgiveness after, years ago, I backed out of the offer I received. Things change, and my outlook has changed. I want to get involved, and I feel joy in knowing I’ll be defending Genoa’s colors. I thank the club,” he told the club’s official website.

His arrival is also expected to complete Genoa’s options at full-back, according to the club’s chief of football Diego Lopez.

Lopez believes Ehizibue’s pace, experience and ability to operate in different roles will allow him to make an immediate contribution.

“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,” Lopez said.

Ehizibue will now prepare to join his new team-mates as Genoa build towards the 2026/27 campaign. His experience of Italian football was a key part of the move, having spent the past four seasons competing in Serie A with Udinese.

The defender’s career has included a spell in Germany with FC Cologne before his move to Italy. He will now wear Genoa’s colours and continue his professional career with a club that expects him to add depth, energy and versatility to its defensive group.

The transfer represents a new beginning for Ehizibue following his lengthy spell at Udinese, where he established himself as a regular contributor and recorded six goal involvements across his 119 appearances.

Galatasaray have submitted their UEFA Champions League squad for the 2026/27 campaign, with Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen and new signing Rafael Leao among the headline names included by the defending Turkish Super Lig champions.

The Istanbul club’s selection brings together a group of high-profile players as they prepare for their latest European campaign. Leao is part of the squad after completing a move from AC Milan on a four-year deal worth €38m.

His arrival adds further attacking quality to a team already led by Osimhen, whose inclusion makes him one of the central figures in Galatasaray’s plans for the season. The club have placed both forwards at the forefront of their public build-up to the new campaign.

The submitted list also contains a strong collection of established international players across midfield and defence. Ilkay Gundogan, Lucas Torreira and Leroy Sane are among the midfielders named, while Davinson Sanchez is included in the defensive group.

Ugurcan Cak?r completes the list of players specifically identified in the squad as the goalkeeper. Together, the named players underline the depth of experience available to Galatasaray as they turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League.

The club have also released official photographs showing the squad wearing their traditional red-and-yellow kits. Other images capture the players in training and celebrating together, presenting a united group ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Galatasaray enter the season as Turkish Super Lig champions, and the squad submission marks an important step in their preparations for the continental competition. The presence of Osimhen, Leao, Gundogan, Torreira, Sane, Sanchez and Cak?r gives the team a notable collection of names with which to approach the campaign.

Leao’s transfer is especially significant after his move from AC Milan. The four-year €38m agreement brought the Portugal international to Istanbul and made him one of the major additions to Galatasaray’s squad.

The club’s red-and-yellow presentation and training images have helped build anticipation around the team, with the photographs emphasising both the scale of the squad and the sense of unity within it. Galatasaray’s Champions League list now formally includes its leading stars as the club prepares to represent the defending Turkish Super Lig champions in Europe.

Attention will now turn to the 2026/27 campaign, with Galatasaray’s star-studded squad set to feature Osimhen and Leao alongside a midfield containing Gundogan, Torreira and Sane, a defence including Sanchez, and Cak?r in goal.

Galatasaray have submitted their squad for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign, with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and new signing Rafael Leão among the headline names included, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Turkish Super Lig champions are preparing for another demanding European campaign after assembling a squad packed with established international stars.

Leão joined the Istanbul giants from AC Milan on a four-year deal reportedly worth €38 million, adding further attacking quality to a team already led by Osimhen.

The Champions League squad also features experienced midfielders ?lkay Gündo?an, Lucas Torreira and Leroy Sané, while Davinson Sánchez is included among the defensive options.

Goalkeeper U?urcan Çak?r is also part of the registered squad as Galatasaray prepare for their European fixtures.

Official images released by the club show the players in their famous red-and-yellow colours during training sessions and team activities, highlighting the unity within the squad ahead of the new campaign.

With Osimhen and Leão expected to play key roles in the attack, Galatasaray will be hoping their star-studded squad can deliver a strong Champions League run in the 2026/27 season.

Nigeria’s Falconets have moved to Katowice as they enter the final stage of preparations for their opening game at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigeria U-20 women’s team left their training base in Trzebnica on Thursday and settled at the Novotel Katowice Centrum, where they will continue their preparations for Monday’s Group F opener against Spain.

Head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew spent 10 days working with the squad in Trzebnica, focusing on tactical organisation, technical development, physical conditioning and team cohesion.

The camp also allowed the players to adapt to the Polish environment while building the match fitness required for the demands of the global tournament.

The Falconets completed their pre-World Cup preparations unbeaten, defeating hosts Poland 1-0 before playing out a 1-1 draw against Korea Republic in their final friendly.

Mary Mamudu was the difference-maker against Poland after scoring the only goal of the encounter in the first half. She also found the net against Korea Republic, maintaining her impressive scoring form heading into the tournament.

The two warm-up matches provided Aduku and his assistants with valuable opportunities to test the squad against different styles of opposition and assess the players’ readiness for the intensity of World Cup football.

With the Trzebnica training camp now completed, attention has shifted to Katowice, where the Falconets will make their final preparations before facing Spain on Monday.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.

After their opening fixture against Spain, the Falconets will take on China PR on September 10 before concluding their group-stage campaign against New Caledonia on September 13.

The Nigerian side will be hoping their unbeaten preparation and the work completed during their 10-day training camp will provide the platform for a positive start to their World Cup campaign on Polish soil.

From the football pitch to the chessboard, a new generation of Nigerian sporting talents is preparing to take centre stage as the MFM Youth Games 2026 brings together young athletes from across the country, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

For some, it will be about scoring the winning goal. For others, it will be about crossing the finish line first, dominating the basketball court, mastering the table tennis table or making the perfect move on the chessboard.

But for everyone involved, the MFM Youth Games 2026 represents something bigger, an opportunity to discover talent, build character and give young people a platform to dream.

The nationwide competition, which runs from September 3 to 17, 2026, is being staged as part of Dr. D. K. Olukoya’s Youth Repositioning Agenda, with young athletes from different regions of Nigeria expected to participate. And this is not just another sporting competition.

It is a gathering designed to turn raw talent into something greater.

The MFM Youth Games will feature football, basketball, athletics, table tennis, Scrabble and Chess, among other sporting activities, creating a rare platform where different forms of talent can compete under one roof.

For a youngster who has spent years playing football on a dusty neighbourhood pitch, the competition could provide a chance to be noticed.

For an aspiring sprinter, it could be the first serious step towards a bigger athletic dream. For a chess player, one carefully calculated move could make all the difference. That is the beauty of the games: different sports, different talents, one purpose.

The competition is open to MFM youths and young adults across all regions, with organisers placing strong emphasis on discipline, unity, excellence, and purpose.

The action is taking place at MFM Prayer City, KM 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibafo, Ogun State, with activities scheduled daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Beyond medals and trophies, the organisers are looking to create an environment where young people can learn the values that come with sport: competing fairly, respecting the rules, working with others, and understanding that success is built through commitment.

“ONE NATION, ONE YOUTH, ONE PURPOSE!”

At a time when young Nigerians are searching for opportunities to express themselves and build meaningful futures, the MFM Youth Games is seeking to make the sporting arena part of that journey. And there is plenty at stake.

Participants will compete for prizes and medals, while winners will also receive trophies. The event will equally provide opportunities for networking, talent development, and spiritual and moral growth. But perhaps the most important prize cannot be placed inside a trophy cabinet. It is the possibility that somewhere among the thousands of young participants is a future football star, Olympic athlete, basketball player, table tennis champion, or intellectual giant waiting for an opportunity to be discovered.

The MFM Youth Games 2026 could be where that journey begins. As the competition continues until September 17, the spotlight will remain firmly on the young athletes, the performances, the surprises, and the stories that emerge from the games.

Because every champion was once an unknown talent.

And sometimes, all a young athlete needs is one stage to announce their arrival.

Former Super Falcons head coach Thomas Dennerby has emerged as a leading contender to take charge of Nigeria’s women’s national team again, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) working to appoint a new technical crew ahead of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The NFF is understood to have opened discussions with the 65-year-old Swedish tactician as it seeks to rebuild the Falcons following their disappointing outing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Nigeria entered the tournament as defending champions but failed to retain the title and subsequently missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The setback led the previous NFF administration under former president Ibrahim Gusau to ask the technical crew headed by Justin Madugu to step aside in August.

Madugu had previously delivered a major success with the Falcons, guiding them to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in 2025.

With the next phase of the 2028 Olympic qualifying campaign scheduled for October, the interim NFF administration led by Emmanuel Ikpeme is keen to appoint a new technical team before Nigeria’s next competitive fixture.

National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade had earlier confirmed that changes to the Falcons’ technical structure were being considered as Nigeria targets qualification for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

“The Olympics are around the corner; we will see how we can tweak the technical team of the Falcons as we did for the U-23, which coach Eric Chelle will handle. This is because we are desirous of qualifying for the Olympics,” Olopade said in August.

Although discussions with Dennerby are reportedly ongoing, Nigerian coaches remain in contention for the position.

Former Super Falcons captain and coach Florence Omagbemi is also understood to be among those being considered. Omagbemi famously guided Nigeria to the 2016 WAFCON title.

Dennerby, however, is believed to be high on the NFF’s shortlist because of his previous achievements with the team.

The Swede took over as Super Falcons coach in January 2018 and quickly made his mark by leading Nigeria to the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title in Ghana later that year.

He subsequently guided the Falcons to the knockout stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, ending Nigeria’s 20-year wait to reach the Round of 16 at the tournament.

Dennerby left his position in September 2019 following an administrative dispute with the NFF before later taking charge of the Indian women’s national team, where he remained until his contract expired in 2023.

Nigeria eventually returned to the women’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a 16-year absence but failed to advance from the group stage.

Following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, the Olympic qualifiers now offer the Falcons an opportunity to rebuild and secure another place on the global stage.

Nigeria are scheduled to face Comoros in October in the next round of the Olympic qualifying campaign.

Comoros reached the second round after recording a remarkable 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan. They won the first leg 17-0 on June 3 before completing the rout with a 13-0 victory in the return fixture five days later.

With the Olympic qualification campaign approaching, the NFF faces increasing pressure to resolve the coaching situation and establish a stable technical structure ahead of the crucial encounter with Comoros.

Nigerian clubs competing in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup could benefit from earlier access to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology if a proposal being considered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is approved, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

CAF is currently discussing the possibility of extending VAR coverage to the group stages of its two premier club competitions, with the technology potentially remaining in use from the group stage through to the final.

Under the current system, VAR is introduced from the quarter-final stage, meaning clubs competing in the group phase do not have access to video assistance for potentially crucial decisions.

For Nigerian representatives, the proposed expansion could prove significant, particularly in tightly contested group-stage matches where a single officiating decision could influence the outcome of a game or the race for qualification.

If approved, Nigerian clubs would have VAR support from the group stage rather than waiting until the knockout rounds.

The discussions are part of CAF’s wider efforts to improve refereeing standards, enhance decision-making and strengthen the credibility of officiating across its club competitions.

However, CAF has not yet approved the proposal, with further assessments still required before a final decision is made.

The continent’s football governing body will have to consider the technical, financial and logistical demands of extending VAR to a much larger number of matches across different countries and venues.

Such an expansion would require additional VAR equipment, trained personnel, match officials and operational teams, while differences in stadium infrastructure, broadcast facilities and technical capabilities across Africa could present further challenges.

The discussions are taking place under CAF President Patrice Motsepe, whose administration has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at modernising African football and improving standards across the continent.

Should the proposal receive approval, it would represent a major expansion in CAF’s use of video technology and bring VAR into play much earlier in the Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigns.

For Nigerian clubs, the move could provide greater confidence during difficult continental assignments, especially in closely fought group-stage encounters where decisive refereeing calls can have a major impact on qualification.

CAF has yet to announce when it will reach a final decision, with consultations continuing on whether the expanded VAR system can be implemented effectively and sustainably from the group stage through to the finals.

Fresh concerns have emerged among Nigeria Premier Football League referees over outstanding match indemnities and welfare issues, with the latest administrative changes in Nigerian football raising questions about who will now take responsibility for settling the payments, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Several match officials are understood to be awaiting payments from the 2025/26 NPFL season, including indemnities and allowances linked to league fixtures and matches involving the President’s Federation Cup.

The officials had raised the issue of unpaid allowances before the start of the 2026/27 campaign. However, the removal of the NPFL board by the interim leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation as part of the ongoing administrative changes has reportedly created uncertainty over the authority that will address the outstanding financial obligations.

The situation has also revived concerns over other welfare matters previously raised by referees with the league authorities.

It is the second time in 2026 that match officials have publicly complained about unpaid indemnities. In January, reports emerged that referees, match commissioners and referee assessors were owed payments covering around 11 matchdays before some of the outstanding allowances were eventually cleared.

Referees’ basic matchday indemnities are reportedly between N60,000 and N90,000, excluding accommodation and transportation allowances.

Ahead of the current season, the officials also complained about an alleged directive requiring each referee to pay N50,000 for uniforms, with the payment deadline reportedly set for the end of August.

The referees further accused the league’s Referees Committee of victimisation in the selection and retention of officials, claiming that some experienced referees had been dropped despite being below the stipulated age limit and passing the required fitness tests.

“So the victimisation continued in the NRA? As Nigeria league is starting, they asked all referees to pay N50,000 each for a uniform, with a deadline of the end of August.

“And these referees were not paid for last season’s matches,” the officials said in a statement obtained by The PUNCH.

The officials also questioned the decision to remove referees based on the number of years they had spent officiating in the NPFL.

“How will the ref committee remove a referee from the NPFL for being in the league for long, even when he hasn’t reached 45 years? Isn’t that wickedness?

“So long as the ref can run and pass fitness, why remove him by force on the grounds of the number of years spent in the league? Is it a crime to stay long, remain fit, and do well in the Nigerian league as a referee?

“Why are we so wicked to our system? Many referees cannot write, yet you allow them and remove those who have been consistent for years through discipline and hard work. Is this how to reward hard work in the Nigerian league as a referee?”

Checks by The PUNCH reportedly indicated that some officials were still expecting payments dating back to Matchday 26 of the 2025/26 NPFL season.

Acting President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Kelechi Mejuobi, declined to comment directly on the alleged outstanding payments and referred enquiries to the league organisers.

“NRA cannot talk until you hear from the NPFL. They are the league organisers,” Mejuobi told The PUNCH.

The NPFL has previously maintained that outstanding referees’ indemnities had been settled, but some officials have continued to dispute that position, insisting that payments for certain fixtures remain unpaid.

That conflicting position has now taken on added significance following the latest changes to the administration of Nigerian football, with referees seeking clarity on both the outstanding payments and the authority responsible for resolving them.

The issue comes as the NPFL begins the 2026/27 season under a new three-year title sponsorship agreement with Poland-based investment group EuroMatch.

The agreement, unveiled ahead of the campaign, is reportedly worth $7.5 million over three years, equivalent to $2.5 million annually.

Under the reported terms, 60 per cent of the annual sponsorship revenue, approximately $1.5 million, is expected to be distributed among the league’s 20 participating clubs.

With fresh commercial revenue entering the NPFL while Nigerian football undergoes wider administrative reforms, match officials will be watching closely for clarification from the interim authorities and the league’s new administrative structure on when their outstanding indemnities and other welfare obligations will be addressed.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been backed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to launch their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign with victory against South Korea in Berlin on Friday.

The reigning African champions are seeking a response against the Asian side, who defeated Nigeria at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France earlier this year.

D’Tigress go into the Group B fixture encouraged by an intensive training camp and a sustained period of preparation under head coach Rena Wakama.

NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade said he believed Nigeria possessed the quality and character to perform strongly on the international stage. He also praised the players for the discipline, patriotism and professionalism they have shown while representing their country.

Olopade said the team had the ability to raise its performance when faced with a major challenge and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s prospects at the tournament.

“I have no doubt that our girls will leave everything on the court in every game, starting with today’s match against the Koreans,” Olopade told the NSC media.

“That is one thing you cannot take away from D’Tigress and their coaching staff.

“I want every Nigerian to rally around the team and put them in their prayers because they definitely need all our support to have a good campaign at the World Cup.”

Friday’s match will be the fourth encounter between Nigeria and South Korea. D’Tigress currently hold the edge in the head-to-head record, with two victories compared with one defeat.

The result will be important in setting the tone for Nigeria’s campaign, with the African champions also scheduled to play Hungary and European powerhouse France in Group B.

The format gives the group winners a direct route to the quarter-finals. Teams finishing second and third will instead need to come through qualification games to secure places in the last eight.

Nigeria’s preparations have taken place under Wakama, who has overseen the team’s build-up to a tournament in which D’Tigress will be aiming to compete strongly against opposition from Asia and Europe.

The NSC has called on supporters across Nigeria to back the team as they begin their World Cup challenge in Berlin. Olopade said the players and coaching staff would need that encouragement during what could be a demanding group-stage campaign.

South Korea’s earlier victory over Nigeria at the qualifying tournament adds an extra competitive edge to the opening fixture. D’Tigress, however, will take confidence from their superior head-to-head record and their status as reigning African champions as they attempt to start the competition on a winning note.

Cercle Brugge have completed the signing of Nigerian winger Tunde Akinsola from Portuguese club AVS Futebol SAD.

The 23-year-old has agreed a contract with the Belgian Pro League side until June 2030, with Cercle Brugge holding an option to extend the deal by a further year.

Akinsola is expected to strengthen the club’s attacking options, with his pace, explosiveness and individual ability viewed as key assets. He can operate on either flank and is capable of playing in several attacking positions.

The winger will join up with his new team-mates once the remaining administrative formalities have been completed.

Cercle Brugge technical director Luciano Murchio said the club were convinced Akinsola’s qualities would suit their style of play.

“Tunde is a strong one-v-one player who can be very dangerous in the final third and in transition moments,” Murchio told Cercle Brugge’s official website.

“Thanks to his versatility, he can play across several attacking positions and adds extra quality to our offensive options.

“He is the type of attacker who fits the way Cercle wants to play, and we are convinced he will create many dangerous attacking moments.”

Akinsola started his career in Nigeria with Valiant FC before moving to Sweden as a teenager. He joined Vasalund at the age of 17, beginning his development in European football with the Swedish club.

His next move took him to Spain, where he signed for Real Valladolid in 2022. The forward initially played for the club’s reserve side before progressing to the first-team squad.

Akinsola made his La Liga debut the following year, appearing as a substitute against Sevilla.

He moved to Portugal at the beginning of 2024, joining AVS Futebol SAD on loan. The transfer was made permanent later in the same year, allowing him to continue his development with the Portuguese club.

During his time at AVS, Akinsola established himself as one of the side’s standout performers. His performances were built around his acceleration, technical ability and direct approach in attack.

Cercle Brugge will now hope those qualities can translate to the Belgian Pro League as Akinsola begins the next stage of his career.

The move gives the Belgian club a versatile attacking option under a long-term agreement, while Akinsola will continue his progress in Europe after spells in Sweden, Spain and Portugal.

By Adeboye Amosu

Genclerbirligi have agreed a loan deal to sign Nigerian forward Victor Orakpo from French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice until the end of the season.

The Turkish Super Lig side confirmed the arrival of the 20-year-old striker on their official X account on Thursday.

“Victor Orakpo Joins Our Genclerbirligi,” the club stated.

“Our club has reached an agreement with France’s OGC Nice team for the loan transfer of 20-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Orakpo until the end of the season.

“We welcome Victor Orakpo to our family and wish him success under the red-black jersey.”

Orakpo began his development at FC Bako before joining VOE Football Academy, which was part of the international academy network operated by Bayern Munich.

He moved to OGC Nice on 31 January 2024, signing a contract that was initially due to run until 2027. The Nigerian made his senior debut for the French club later that year, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat by Auxerre on 18 August 2024.

Nice extended his contract on 26 August 2024, keeping him at the club until 2028.

On 2 February 2026, Orakpo moved to Nancy on loan in Ligue 2. His switch to Genclerbirligi represents another temporary move as he continues his development away from Nice.

Genclerbirligi were established on 14 March 1923 by students from Ankara Sultanisi, a high school. The club was formed after several students were left out of the school team, known as “Sultani”.

The Ankara club enjoyed a successful period in the early 1930s, winning three consecutive titles in 1930-31, 1931-32 and 1933-34.

Genclerbirligi missed some seasons before returning strongly in 1933-34, when they finished second. They won again in 1934-35, securing what was described as their fifth title.

In 1936-37, they narrowly missed out on another championship after losing the title in a close contest with city rivals Ankaragucu.

Orakpo will now join Genclerbirligi as the club look to benefit from his experience with OGC Nice and his previous loan spell in Ligue 2. The move gives the Nigerian forward an opportunity for regular football in the Turkish Super Lig while remaining under contract with the French club until 2028.

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa has praised Nigeria striker Akor Adams, describing him as “definitely a good player” while suggesting that improving his defensive work could help him develop into a complete modern forward in Serie A.

Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla in a €17 million transfer and made an immediate impression by scoring twice on his debut against Modena in the Coppa Italia.

The 25-year-old has yet to find the net in Serie A, having played two matches for his new club, but Stroppa believes the striker has already shown qualities that can make him an important player for Venezia.

Speaking to pazzidifanta, Stroppa said Adams had the technical ability required to succeed, while identifying further areas for development in his overall game.

“Under the technical aspect, there is always room for improvement. On the tactical aspect, he makes the first pressure, goes deep and goes at the goal: he is definitely a good player.”

Stroppa’s comments come as Venezia continue to work on their organisation without the ball. The coach has stressed the importance of Adams and his team-mates maintaining tactical discipline, particularly by keeping the correct distances between the lines during matches.

Although Adams has not yet scored in the Italian top flight, his two-goal Coppa Italia debut provided an encouraging start to his career with Venezia. His arrival from Sevilla made him one of the club’s significant attacking additions, and his performances are being closely watched as he adapts to the demands of Serie A.

Stroppa also reflected on Venezia’s wider performance, saying the team had produced a strong first half but failed to convert its chances into goals and points.

“We played a great first half, but we didn’t score. The result is missing and you have to score points.

“We work for performance and we can be satisfied with the level of play. But we pay for the episodes and we have to be more careful. The opportunities created are too many not to bring points home”, he concluded.

The Venezia manager’s assessment combines encouragement with a clear demand for improvement. Adams’ ability to apply pressure, drop deeper and attack the goal has impressed Stroppa, but greater defensive contribution and collective discipline will be required as the Nigerian international continues his adaptation to Italian football.

For now, the striker’s first Serie A goal remains outstanding after two appearances, following the memorable double that announced his arrival against Modena in the Coppa Italia.

Femi Azeez says joining Brighton & Hove Albion represents a “dream come true” after completing his move from Millwall on transfer deadline day.

The Nigeria international has signed a four-year contract with the Premier League club following an impressive spell with the Sky Bet Championship side. Azeez, 25, said the chance to play in England’s top flight was an ambition he had held throughout his career and that he was determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“It’s every young boy’s dream, isn’t it? Something I’ve been dreaming of for my whole life, and to be given this opportunity is like a dream come true really,” Azeez told Brighton’s official website.

“I’m going to take this opportunity. I’m going to work hard. I want to be successful here, so I’m over the moon.”

Azeez said discussions with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler played an important part in his decision to move to the club, despite interest from elsewhere.

The winger was impressed by the detail in Hurzeler’s explanation of Brighton’s plans and felt the club’s approach matched his own ambitions and personality.

“Obviously, I had a chat with the manager beforehand and his attention to detail and everything that he was telling me got me really excited to come,” he said.

“The club has got a very good track record of developing players as well and I know the ambition and the drive, and everything about the club just aligned with me as a person.

“So, for me, I thought it was a great fit.”

Azeez arrives at Brighton after producing the best campaign of his career so far with Millwall last season. He scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists, performances which earned him selection in the PFA Championship Team of the Season.

The move will take him into a higher level of competition, but Azeez believes the work ethic and ambition that helped him succeed in the Championship can also serve him well in the Premier League.

He acknowledged that he would need time to adapt to the demands of top-flight football, while expressing confidence that he could reproduce the form he showed at The Den.

“I’m confident. I obviously know the Premier League is a different step, different level to the Championship. One that I’ll have to get used to,” he added.

“But obviously with me as a person, hard work and ambitious, I have no doubts that hopefully I can bring what I showed last season again to Brighton this season and moving forward.”

Brighton have a strong reputation for developing players, something which also appealed to Azeez as he considered his next move. His four-year agreement gives him the opportunity to continue his progress at a club competing in the Premier League.

The transfer was completed on deadline day, bringing an end to his time at Millwall and opening the next stage of his career with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Comfort Erhabor has joined Crystal Palace Women on a two-year contract after completing a free transfer from Portsmouth.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who represents Nigeria’s Super Falcons, left Portsmouth at the end of the 2025/26 season after making six appearances in all competitions.

Erhabor, who was born in the Netherlands and brought up in England, said she was excited to begin the next stage of her career with the London club.

“It feels really good to be here. I’m very excited to get started,” Erhabor told Crystal Palace’s official website.

“I’m aspiring to play at the highest level, so this is a really big step in my career.”

The move gives Erhabor the opportunity to continue her development at a club preparing for life in the Women’s Super League after Crystal Palace secured promotion last season.

Palace finished second in WSL 2 to earn their place in the top flight. Their first match of the new WSL campaign will be at home against Everton on Sunday.

Potter welcomes Nigeria international

Crystal Palace manager Jo Potter described Erhabor as a promising young goalkeeper and said the club were pleased to bring her to Selhurst Park.

“Comfort is a promising young goalkeeper, and we are thrilled to have her here at Palace,” Potter said.

Erhabor started her football journey in the academy at Brighton & Hove Albion before gaining senior experience through loan spells at Hibernian and Plymouth Argyle.

Those temporary moves helped her build experience in the women’s game before she joined Portsmouth, where she featured six times during the 2025/26 campaign.

She took another significant step in her international career in February when she made her Super Falcons debut. Erhabor started Nigeria’s friendly against Cameroon and was subsequently selected for the country’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Her arrival adds further goalkeeping options to a Crystal Palace side embarking on their first WSL season after promotion. For Erhabor, the move represents a chance to compete at a higher level while continuing her progress with both club and country.

The goalkeeper’s switch was completed on a free transfer following her departure from Portsmouth, bringing her spell with the club to an end after one season in which she made six competitive appearances.

Nigeria midfielder Jordan Pereke has joined Spanish club CD Azuaga from AD Ceuta B on a free transfer, adding a 23-year-old central midfielder to the side’s squad.

Pereke has signed a contract that runs until 30 June 2027. The move was completed on 3 September 2026, bringing an end to his spell with AD Ceuta B after just over a year at the club.

The Lagos-born midfielder joined AD Ceuta B from Oviedo Vetusta on 4 July 2025, also on a free transfer. During his time with Oviedo Vetusta, he was involved in loan moves to L’Entregu CF and CD Mosconia, gaining experience across Spanish football before returning to the club.

Pereke spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign with CD Mosconia, after joining on loan from Oviedo Vetusta on 1 January 2025. He had previously spent part of the 2023-24 season at L’Entregu CF, moving there on loan on 1 February 2024 before returning to Oviedo Vetusta at the end of June.

His first recorded senior loan spell came with L’Entregu during the 2022-23 season. He joined from Oviedo Vetusta in August 2022 and went back to the parent club in June 2023. Earlier in that campaign, he had also spent time at Covadonga on loan.

The central midfielder has made 19 recorded league appearances and scored two goals, with 14 appearances coming in the Promocion a 2a Federacion and a further five in Segunda Federacion Group I. Those figures include 1,088 minutes in the former competition, where he scored twice.

Pereke began his progression in Spain with Oviedo U19 before moving into the Oviedo Vetusta set-up on 1 July 2022. He is listed as a right-footed midfielder and stands 1.86 metres tall.

The transfer gives Azuaga a player with experience across several Spanish clubs and a series of loan spells, while Pereke begins a new chapter after leaving AD Ceuta B.

The Nigeria international has therefore completed a free transfer to CD Azuaga and is contracted to the club until June 2027.

Tino Anjorin, the England and Nigeria midfielder at Torino, has been linked with a move to Goztepe in Turkey’s Super Lig.

Anjorin joined Torino permanently from Empoli on 1 July 2026 after spending the 2025-26 season on loan at the Serie A club. The transfer was valued at €4.5m, with the 24-year-old signing a contract that runs until 30 June 2028.

The midfielder has made one appearance for Torino so far this season, playing in the Italy Cup, while he has not featured in Serie A. He has no goals or assists in the campaign.

A move to Goztepe would come only two months after Anjorin completed his permanent switch to Torino. The player began his senior career at Chelsea and also spent loan spells with Lokomotiv Moscow, Huddersfield and Portsmouth before moving to Empoli in 2024.

Anjorin helped Portsmouth win the English third tier in 2023-24 and was part of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning squad in 2020-21. His current market value is listed at €4m, while his Torino contract remains in place until 2028.