JJ Okocha advises Osimhen on next club to join

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has stated that Victor Osimhen must “own” the choice about his next club.

Osimhen is highly certain to depart Napoli on permanent terms this summer.

The 26-year-old had a fantastic loan stay with Galatasaray last season, winning the league title and League Cup, as well as the Golden Boot award.

READ ALSO:

• Tinubu moves to retain Shettima as VP for 2027
• NNPC hikes petrol price to N945 in Abuja, N915 Lagos
• Gunmen hijack bus with several passengers in Benue

The Super Eagles forward has already turned down several offers to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and is keen on continuing his career in Europe.

Okocha has now advised Osimhen to do what is best for him and his family.

“The decision should be his. Whether it goes well or not, he must own it,” Okocha told Sport 247.

“I don’t believe in deciding someone’s future. He should choose what’s best for him and his family.”

JJ Okocha advises Osimhen on next club to join

We won’t stop Favour Ofili from dumping Nigeria for Turkey – AFN

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, says the federation won’t stop women’s 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, from switching her nationality to Turkey.

Okowa expressed surprise at the 22-year-old’s apparent allegiance transfer, as the federation awaits a reply from World Athletics.

Ofili is alleged to have shifted allegiance to the European country just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 22-year-old’s transfer was initially revealed by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, who stated that Ofili had informed the Athletics Integrity Unit of her dissatisfaction with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.

In reacting to the development, Okowa, who admitted that the AFN had let the athlete down on different occasions, said he was surprised, as the athlete has also been paid a training grant this year.

READ ALSO:

• Bank of Agriculture gets FG’s N1.5trn
• No group has applied for political party registration, says INEC
• I’ve not reconciled with Faithia, lady in viral video not my wife – KWAM1

“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful, but we are yet to get any official statement from her or any correspondence from World Athletics on her request. She is a promising athlete with huge potential,” Okowa said in a statement.

“From the moves we have been making to get her fully prepared and back to the big athletics family and her response, it’s also clear that she had been preparing and working on her newfound Turkish love. She is old enough to decide what’s best for her, but it is painful and hard to take for us; however, we will not stop her. She is still our child, sister and daughter.

“We want to apologise to Nigerians, the National Sports Commission and the millions of people around the world who hold the sport and country in high esteem for this sad development.”

Meanwhile, the World Athletics Federation still identifies Ofili as a Nigerian athlete on its profile.

The 22-year-old is one among several Nigerian athletes who have qualified for the World Championships, which will take place in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.

This year, the Turkish athletics association has been looking for athletes, especially Jamaicans, and is reportedly offering up to $500,000 to foreign athletes who transfer allegiance to the European country.

Following administrative lapses, Nigeria has a long list of athletes who left the country for other countries and went on to excel in their careers, including Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar), among others.

We won’t stop Favour Ofili from dumping Nigeria for Turkey – AFN

Super Eagles captain, Troost-Ekong hosts star-studded charity match in Lagos

The Troost-Ekong Foundation is getting ready to host its second charity football match on Sunday, June 22, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. The event, called #PlayForPurpose, will feature many well-known stars from sports and entertainment, all coming together to raise money to help poor and underprivileged children.

The charity match is supported by NoOnes, with additional backing from BFA Sports, Puma, and Power Horse.

Some of the big names expected to take part include Anthony Joshua (the world-famous boxer), Victor Osimhen, Obafemi Martins, Odion Ighalo, Vincent Enyeama, and popular musicians and entertainers like ODUMODUBLVCK, Falz, and Flavour. These stars are uniting to show love and support for children in need, using football as a way to give back to society.

This will be the second event of its kind by the foundation. The first charity match was held in Uyo and was a huge success. It brought together former football stars, comedians, music artists, and current Super Eagles players who entertained fans and raised money for a good cause.

READ ALSO:

• Five dead, 10 injured as explosion hits Kano
• Dangote refinery raises petrol ex-depot price to N880/litre
• Salah leads in PFA Player of the Year nominations

The Troost-Ekong Foundation was started by William Troost-Ekong, the captain of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles. He created the foundation to help children from poor backgrounds, using football as a tool to change lives. Since it began, the foundation has received a lot of praise and support from the public and private partners.

Recently, the foundation held a jersey unveiling event at the Puma store in Palms Mall, Lekki, Lagos. Many fans came out to show support. One of the important people at the event was Bobo Ajudua, a lawyer and key partner at BFA and Co Legal.

Super Eagles captain, Troost-Ekong hosts star-studded charity match in Lagos