Coventry City Close to Frank Onyeka Move

Coventry City are closing in on the signing of Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka in the final days of transfer window. According to Sky Sports, Coventry are ‘close’ to finalising a deal to sign the Nigeria international following weeks of speculation. The report claimed the final decision regarding the move rests with Onyeka. And the report added the deal will likely be an initial loan with an obligation to buy if Coventry achieve promotion to the Premier League. Other clubs including Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Valencia have reportedly shown an interest in the midfielder. The 28-year-old helped Nigeria reach the semi-finals of this year’s AFCON where they lost to hosts Morocco on penalties. Onyeka has made just six appearances for the Bees in all competitions this season.   He spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.   The central midfielder has made 75 appearances for Brentford in the Premier League across five seasons. He started his career in Denmark at Midtjylland where he scored 14 goals in 95 appearances.

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CAF African Schools Football Championship: CAF Officials to Inspect Ikenne, Sagamu Facilities

Officials from the Confederation of African Football will arrive in Nigeria on Monday to inspect facilities that Nigeria is putting up to host this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship Final Phase.   The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament with the objective of developing youth football and promoting education across the African continent. It is supported by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental final tournament.   The competition is for both boys and girls. The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls emerged victorious. Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, and the tournament involves partnerships with organizations like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), for health education.   CAF officials Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer ((Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), Joshua Knipp (ASFC Competition) and the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere will inspect proposed competition and ancillary venues in Ikenne-Remo and Sagamu on Tuesday, 3rd February and Wednesday, 4th February 2026.   Focus will be on the Remo Stars Stadium and training pitches in Ikenne-Remo, the FC Ebedei Stadium and training pitches in Sagamu, as well as hospitals and hotel facilities within these two towns.

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Poland 2026: Falconets Show Fighting Spirit in Win over FC Robo

Nigeria’s U-20 Women National Team, the Falconets, continued their build-up to the first-leg encounter against Senegal with a 2–1 victory over Nigeria Women Premier League top team, FC Robo in a friendly match played in Ibadan.   As earlier reported, the Falconets arrived in Ibadan on Monday, 27 January 2026, to intensify preparations for the crucial fixture scheduled for Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. The friendly match against FC Robo formed part of the technical crew’s assessment programme aimed at testing the team’s performance, tactical execution, and match fitness ahead of the upcoming tie.   Reacting after the encounter, Head Coach Moses Aduku expressed satisfaction with the outcome while noting areas for improvement. “So far, so good. We won the game, but there are still little adjustments to be made in the team ahead of Saturday’s game against the Senegalese.   “However, there were positives, especially the fighting spirit. The way the girls responded to score the winning goal was very encouraging. It showed character, resilience, and the determination not to relent in our quest to qualify.”

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Victor Boniface Pledges Support to Injured Nigerian Footballer Seeking Help After ACL Surgery

Victor Boniface Pledges Support to Injured Nigerian Footballer Seeking Help After ACL Surgery

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has pledged to support a Nigeria-based footballer seeking assistance to complete his rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. The Super Eagles forward made the commitment after the injured player, identified as Grace Boy, reached out to him on social media, appealing for financial help to continue physiotherapy and post-surgery care. In his message, Grace Boy explained that although his ACL surgery was performed in Nigeria, the lack of adequate post-operative follow-up had placed his recovery—and football career—at serious risk. He expressed concern that without proper rehabilitation, he might never return to competitive football. “I am calling on your attention sir to seek for your kind support in this difficult time of my career,” he wrote.“Having to undergo an ACL surgery in Nigeria without a proper follow-up care has been my biggest fear. Please, I am calling on your attention to seek for your support to continue my physiotherapy and rehab session, so I can be able to return back to playing football again.” Grace Boy also wished Boniface well as the Leverkusen striker continues his own recovery from injury. Reacting publicly, Boniface showed empathy and acknowledged the harsh realities faced by many young footballers in Nigeria, particularly those without access to structured medical and welfare support. “E no easy for young Nigeria player I swear,” Boniface replied. “I know how many player I have help without people knowing. We go try help you.” The 24-year-old’s response quickly gained traction online, sparking conversations around player welfare, injury management, and access to quality medical care in Nigerian football. ACL injuries are among the most serious in the sport, often requiring several months of specialised rehabilitation and consistent physiotherapy. In Nigeria, however, access to such services remains limited, especially for players outside the top professional tiers, leaving many careers vulnerable after major injuries.

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Atletico, Atalanta Agree Ademola Lookman Deal

In a dramatic twist during the final hours of the winter window, Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Atalanta for the transfer of Ademola Lookman. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Spanish side moved decisively after Lookman’s potential move to Fenerbahce collapsed. The Nigerian international had previously reached a total agreement with the Turkish club, where he was set to receive a significant salary, but the deal fell through at the final hurdles. With the path cleared, Atletico Madrid swooped in to strike a deal with the Bergamo-based club. However, while the two clubs have found common ground, the move is currently awaiting the player’s final green light. Lookman is yet to approve the switch to the Metropolitano, as he evaluates the proposal from the Colchoneros following the disappointment of the failed Fenerbahce move. Atalanta are prepared to sanction the departure now that their valuation has been met, but the clock is ticking for Diego Simeone’s side to convince the winger to accept the move before the deadline.

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Poland 2026: Falconets to Battle Senegal at MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta

The Confederation of African Football has approved a request by the Nigeria Football Federation for a change of venue of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third round, first leg qualifying match between Nigeria and Senegal, scheduled for Saturday, 7th February 2026.   NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, confirmed that the match will now be played at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.   According to her, the NFF requested for a change of venue as a result of the deteriorating state of the playing pitch of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan that had earlier been approved for the match, and which actually hosted the Falconets’ second round, second leg clash with the Rwanda U20 girls in September last year.   In view of this development, the two-time FIFA World silver-medallists, who had been training in Ibadan ahead of the match, are expected to relocate to Abeokuta in a few days, in order to familiarize themselves with the turf of the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.   The Falconets defeated their Rwandan counterparts 5-0 on aggregate to qualify for the third round of the African series of the qualification campaign. The winner between Nigeria and Senegal in this third round will reach the last round of the series, where they will take on the winner of the fixture between Guinea Bissau and Malawi, for a place at the final tournament scheduled for 5-27 September 2026 in Poland.

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UCL: Real Madrid to Play Benfica, PSG Faces Monaco in Play-Offs

Real Madrid were handed a quick rematch with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the draw for the Champions League play-off round on Friday, while reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain will face domestic rivals Monaco. Benfica beats Real 4-2 in their final game of the league phase on Wednesday, with a 98th-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin proving decisive in allowing the Portuguese side to snatch the last play-off spot ahead of Marseille, who were eliminated altogether. The defeat also nudged Madrid out of the top eight places in the league standings, which give direct access to the last 16, forcing them into this extra round. Benfica staged a remarkable recovery to take a play-off place — they finished 24th in the 36-team league phase, the last qualifying spot — by winning three of their last four matches after losing their opening four games. Mourinho, 63, returned to the Lisbon giants for a second spell as coach in September. He was in charge of Real from 2010 to 2013 and won one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey while also taking them to the Champions League semi-finals in each of his three campaigns. The clubs played each other in the 1962 European Cup final, with Benfica winning 5-3 to claim the last of their two titles to date. PSG slipped out of the top eight after winning only one of their last five outings in the league phase and finishing in 11th place. They will go to Monaco for the first leg and will be wary of the principality side who beat them there in Ligue 1 in November. However, 2004 Champions League finalists Monaco have been in poor form, with just one win in six games since the turn of the year. They are 10th in Ligue 1, 21 points behind leaders PSG. However, a 0-0 draw with Juventus on Wednesday allowed them to secure a play-off place in Europe. PSG also beats French opposition in the play-off round last season, hammering Brest 10-0 on aggregate before going on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history. Elsewhere, Newcastle United will be strong favourites against surprise packages Qarabag of Azerbaijan, with the first leg to come in Baku. Bodo/Glimt, Norwegian champions in four of the last six years, were also surprise qualifiers for this stage and have been rewarded with a tie against last season’s runners-up Inter Milan. Juventus will take on Galatasaray, while Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge. Borussia Dortmund play Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against Olympiacos. The two-legged play-off ties will take place in February, with the winners advancing to the last 16 in March.

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Dapo Anunlopo Joins Wolves

Wolves has secured the signing of exciting young forward Dapo Anunlopo from League Two side Bromley. The 17-year-old, who will link up with the academy’s under-18 side, arrives at Compton Park as a highly rated attacking player after just six months with the London club. Having grown up in Ireland, Anunlopo joined Bromley from Dundalk and caught the eye of the Wolves recruitment team following impressive performances in both the Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup, including a goal in the latter against Ipswich Town this month. Head of Academy Recruitment Harry Hooman spoke about the attributes that attracted the club: “Dapo hasn’t been at Bromley long, having moved over from Ireland, but he has really impressed us in the first half of the season and we have been monitoring his progress over the last few months. We really like what we see and believe he has huge potential. “He is a quick, direct and aggressive forward who can operate across the front line. We are always looking at clubs lower down the pyramid for players who are hungry to improve and develop. What stands out with Dapo is his athleticism and versatility, but also his desire to make things happen – we love how he carries the ball. He has really bought into our approach here at Wolves and we’re very excited to be working with him.” Wolves thanked Bromley for their assistance and co-operation during the transfer and wished them the very best for the remainder of the season.

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