Sports

Failed Medicals: How Fitness Tests Limited Dreams Of Nigerian Footballers

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2025

For many Nigerian footballers, the medical room has not just been a checkpoint but a place where dreams were limited, and where lucrative transfers collapsed at the final hurdle.
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While a few Nigerian footballers, like Nwankwo Kanu, bounced back stronger, others were forced to take entirely different career paths after failing crucial fitness tests.

It was reports that Victor Boniface’s proposed move to AC Milan broke down this summer due to fitness concerns. According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen striker underwent four separate tests in Italy before Milan eventually pulled out of the deal.

Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving uncertainty over his next move. The failed transfer once again highlights the delicate balance between talent and fitness in the high-stakes world of European football.

This is not a new story for Nigerian stars. Back in 1996, Nwankwo Kanu faced a far more frightening scenario when Inter Milan doctors discovered a life-threatening heart defect during his medical. Many thought his career was over, but surgery and sheer determination brought him back.

He would later shine at Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and cementing his place as one of Africa’s greatest exports.

Other Nigerian footballers, however, never fully recovered from failed medicals. Tijani Babangida was on the verge of joining Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in 2000, but failed the stringent tests. Instead, he got on loan at Gençlerbirliği, where his career ended.

The same year, Dele Adebola’s dream of playing in Spain collapsed when Las Palmas rescinded his contract over medical concerns. Ironically, that setback rejuvenated his Birmingham City career, where he went on to help the club reach the 2001 League Cup Final before injuries caught up with him.

Seyi Olofinjana had his share of disappointment in 2004 when his Monaco move fell apart. Reflecting later, he said: “I think there was a misunderstanding after I had a medical, and as a result, I didn’t sign. But the club had a change of president, so perhaps it was political, I don’t know.” The setback turned into a blessing, as he later found success in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Meanwhile, David Oniya failed his medical at Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana in 2014, and while he later revived his career in Malaysia, tragedy struck a year later when he collapsed and died during a friendly match, aged just 30.

Romanus Orjinta, the former Enyimba captain, also saw his career derailed in 2007 when Zamalek pulled out of a deal after detecting health issues in his medical. Though he briefly revived his career in Nigeria, the move that could have elevated him to continental fame never materialised.

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Sports

Man United finalise deal for teenage Colombian midfielder Orozco

Published

6 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Manchester United have finalised a deal to sign 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza CEIF.

The agreement, confirmed by renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Thursday, will see the young talent join the Red Devils in the summer of 2026 upon turning 18.

According to Romano, all contracts have been approved by United’s lawyers, and the deal was coordinated by lead scout Gerardo Guzmán Antonaccio.

He said on X, “Manchester United have now sealed and signed a deal to bring in 17-year-old Colombian talent Cristian Orozco.

“$1m transfer fee from Fortaleza in a deal valid from summer 2026. #MUFC lawyers approved all the contracts, deal coordinated by lead scout Antonaccio.”

Orozco is a defensive midfielder and captain of Colombia’s Under-17 national team, who has been hailed as a promising talent with strong intensity and potential.

He led his country to the final of the Under-17 South American Championships last year, showcasing his leadership and skills in youth international competitions.

The teenager has made appearances in Colombia’s domestic league with Fortaleza CEIF.

Orozco joins a growing list of young talents at Old Trafford, including recent additions like Sekou Kone and Chido Obi-Martin.

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Sports

Victor Osimhen breaks record, becomes Nigeria’s top Champions League goal scorer

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has become the first Nigerian to score 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

The 26-year-old striker reached the milestone after scoring the lone goal in Galatasaray’s 1-0 win over Liverpool at the RAMS Park on Tuesday night, September 30.

Osimhen converted a penalty kick with Alisson Becker diving the wrong way after Dominic Sobozlai had smacked Barış Alper Yılmaz in the face to concede the penalty.

The goal took Osimhen ahead of Obafemi Martins to become the highest scoring Nigerian in the UCL, excluding qualification matches.

He also became the first Nigerian to score for three different clubs in the UCL. He had earlier scored for Lille and Napoli in the competition.

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Sports

Olapade, Okoko shine at Lakowe Golf Classic

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nigerian golf ace Sunday Olapade won the professional round of the 2025 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic with a 10-under par score in 54 holes, as the event came to an end on Sunday.

Youngster Godwin Okoko, also made the winner’s list with a third-place finish in the professional round while also leading his amateur team members to be crowned the Team event winners. The members included Ikechukwu Boniface, David Maji, and Frances Omaruaye.

The 2025 event paraded some of the best professional players from West Africa, including Emos Korblah and Barry Yaw from Ghana, Oche Odoh, Kamalu Bako, Gift Willy, Godwin Okoko, Michael Ubi, and Francis Epe.

Olapade’s rounds were 69, 65, and 72 for the three days to beat Korblah with a five-stroke margin and pocket the N5m purse and an additional ARM champion bonus of N2.5m, totaling N7.5m for his victory.

Golf Manager of Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Femi Olagbenro, said Olapade had a brilliant spell at the event and came close to breaking the course’s 54-hole record held by Vincent Torgah.

“I believe every player showing up at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club puts in an extra effort to match the pedigree of the course and the tough field that is always on parade at each Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic event.

“This is a very satisfying win, given the effort I have put into my game in the past few months. I have just come back from a training round in Kenya. It’s been a very challenging routine, which is why this is satisfying. I want to thank everyone who has supported me this while, and believe in me.

In the team event, Kingsley Oparaku led the team of Roland Alexander, Terry Paul, and Abe Ayodeji to the runner-up position.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chairman of Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate Deji Alli said that the game of golf has impacted his person and outlook of business for the Lakowe Lakes project, despite the challenges of running a world-class facility like Lakowe Lakes Golf Club.

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