Sports

Mercy Akide: Trailblazer of Nigerian Women’s Football

Published

5 months ago

September 11, 2025

Mercy Akide remains one of the most celebrated pioneers in African women’s football. Renowned for her pace, skill, and instinctive goal-scoring ability, she broke barriers and inspired generations of female footballers across Nigeria and the African continent.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Akide’s football journey began on the streets of Port Harcourt, where she first honed her skills. She went on to star for Jegede Babes and later Garden City Queens before gaining prominence with Jegede Babes’ successor, Jegede Babes Queens. Her breakthrough came with her dynamic performances for the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s national team, where her attacking prowess made her an indispensable forward.

Achievements with the Super Falcons

Mercy Akide played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups (1995, 1999, and 2003), representing Nigeria on the global stage. She was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ dominance of continental football, helping the team secure three African Women’s Championship (AWC) titles during her era (1998, 2000, 2002).
While not always captain, Akide was consistently a leading figure on the field, known for her ability to deliver crucial goals and inspire confidence in her teammates.

International Recognition

In 2001, Akide became the first African woman to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This landmark achievement not only honored her individual brilliance but also symbolized the growing recognition of women’s football on the continent.

That same year, she also made history as the first African woman to play in the U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer League (WUSA), joining San Diego Spirit before later moving to Carolina Courage.

Her move to the United States elevated the visibility of African women’s football and inspired many young players to dream beyond local leagues.

Ambassadorial Role

Recognizing her influence on and off the pitch, FIFA appointed Mercy Akide in 2005 as one of its 15 Ambassadors for Women’s Football. In this capacity, she has championed women’s participation in the sport globally, using her platform to mentor, motivate, and advocate for gender equality in football.

Legacy

Mercy Akide’s career brought glory to Nigeria and opened doors for future generations of African women footballers to pursue professional careers abroad. Her trailblazing achievements—from continental dominance with the Super Falcons to international breakthroughs in the U.S.—cement her legacy as one of Africa’s greatest female football icons.

Her story stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of representation in women’s sports.

Sources
Confederation of African Football (CAF) archives, 2001 Awards

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Sports

Atletico push for Lookman as Fenerbahce near deal

Published

21 hours ago

January 31, 2026

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Atletico Madrid have intensified efforts to sign Ademola Lookman as the Turkish club Fenerbahce edge closer to completing a deal for the Nigeria forward, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Spanish side tried to sign the 28-year-old last summer but failed to reach an agreement with Atalanta.

Their primary midfield target, Leon Goretzka, announced on Friday that he would not leave Bayern Munich until the summer, forcing Sporting Director Mateu Alemany to pursue alternative options.

Atletico are now targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi for midfield reinforcement, but Lookman remains their priority signing.

However, competition for the Nigeria international is fierce. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Fenerbahce’s deal is at the final stages, with the Turkish club offering a package worth €40m including variables.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Atletico acknowledge that Fenerbahce’s bid is currently higher than theirs, though they will do all they can to bring Lookman to Spain.

The player had expressed interest in a move to Spain during the summer.

Diario AS reports that Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is currently in Bergamo trying to finalise the deal.

Romano posted on Friday that while Atalanta and Fenerbahce have a verbal agreement on a €40m package, they are yet to agree on payment terms and conditions.

He added that Atletico Madrid have been calling in recent hours to ask about deal conditions.

Atletico could return for both Goretzka and Lookman in the summer, depending on what business Alemany completes before February 2.

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Sports

Bayern confirm Goretzka’s end-of-season exit

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

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FC Bayern Munich have confirmed that midfielder Leon Goretzka will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The confirmation was given by Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, who said the 29-year-old will complete the season with the club before moving on as a free agent in the summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on Friday, Freund was quoted as saying, “Leon Goretzka will leave FC Bayern in the summer as a free agent, not now. Leon’s time at FC Bayern will be over in the summer. He will go another way after 8 successful years. We’ll fight together in the coming months to achieve big things.”

The statement rules out any immediate departure, with Bayern expecting Goretzka to remain part of the squad for the rest of the campaign.

Goretzka joined Bayern in 2018 from Schalke and has been a key member of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

During his time in Munich, he won multiple Bundesliga titles, domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League.

Despite increased competition for places in recent seasons, the Germany international has remained an experienced figure within the squad.

Bayern and Goretzka are now set to focus on their remaining objectives for the season before the midfielder begins a new chapter in his career this summer.

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Sports

West Ham sign Fulham winger Traore

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

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West Ham announced on Wednesday that they had signed winger Adama Traore from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old will be reunited at the London Stadium with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with whom he worked previously at Wolves.

The Premier League strugglers described the forward as “strong, quick and able to create and score goals”.

Traore, who has been a peripheral player for Fulham this season, came through Barcelona’s youth system before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He has also played for Middlesbrough and Wolves.

The winger, who has made 262 Premier League appearances, scoring 14 goals, said he wanted to help relegation-threatened West Ham to the “maximum”.

“I love the challenges,” he said. “I think, of course, we have to go game by game. And this is what we’re going to do, trying to do our best. I think everything comes from belief. And I believe we’re going to achieve what we’re looking for.”

Nuno is relishing the chance to link up again with Traore, who has won eight caps for Spain.

“Adama is someone who knows the Premier League very well, and his qualities, both as a player and a person, will help us between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“He will give us a different option in attacking areas. He is also motivated to fight for us and ready to bring energy, commitment and determination to our challenge.”

West Ham are third from bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety, but have won their past two matches, against Tottenham and Sunderland.

The club has been active in the January transfer window as they battle for survival, signing forwards Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos earlier this month.

The January window closes on Monday.

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