Sports

Mercy Akide: Trailblazer of Nigerian Women’s Football

Published

9 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

Somalian referee who was elected best in Africa denied entry to US for World Cup Duties

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

World Cup referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States, just three days before the tournament is set to begin. The Somali official was poised to become the first-ever referee from his country to take charge of a match at a Fifa World Cup.

Artan, 34, was named the best African referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football and has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He reportedly encountered difficulties securing a visa but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport.

He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, after FIFA confirmed last week that his visa situation had been “fully resolved” and that he would be available to officiate at the tournament. Denied entry to the US, he has now returned to Istanbul.

The Somali is one of eight referees from CAF selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup. There are also eight from the AFC, nine from Concacaf, one from the OFC, 12 from Conmebol, and 15 from Uefa. Those from Uefa countries include Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, as well as England’s Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver. In total, 170 referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees will take charge of the record 104 matches across the three host nations.

It currently remains unclear what will happen if Artan is not permitted entry in time for the tournament. The Somali FA and FIFA have been contacted for comment.

The US travel ban has already caused issues for some players expected to feature in the World Cup. Despite not qualifying for the tournament, Somalia features on the travel ban list. Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was initially barred from flying to the country due to travel issues related to a 2018 court ruling; he was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and handed a suspended fine. Those issues have since been resolved, and he has arrived in San Diego.

Iran have been forced to change their plans for the tournament and will now be based in Mexico. The squad will only be allowed into the US on matchdays and must leave on the same day.

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Sports

Galatasaray ask Osimhen to lure Lookman

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Galatasaray have enlisted the help of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their pursuit of fellow Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, asking the striker to use his influence to convince his international teammate to make the move to Istanbul this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Turkish football outlet Fotomac, the Turkish champions are understood to be seriously interested in signing Lookman from Atlético Madrid, where the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since joining from Atalanta in a deal worth €35m in the January transfer window. Lookman contributed five goals and four assists in 24 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey with crucial goals against Barcelona in both competitions.

Galatasaray’s decision to approach Osimhen as an informal mediator reflects the scale of the challenge they face in pulling off the transfer.

Atlético Madrid, who have already lost Antoine Griezmann and are navigating exit talks involving Julian Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth, would be deeply reluctant to sanction another high-profile departure.

Lookman’s versatility and productivity make him precisely the type of player Simeone is unlikely to release without significant resistance.

The financial obstacle is equally daunting.

Lookman’s salary in Spain is understood to be considerably higher than what Galatasaray currently pay most of their players outside of Osimhen’s exceptional €21m-per-year arrangement, and closing that gap would require a creative financial structure.

Osimhen’s relationship with Galatasaray is no secret. The 27-year-old has spoken warmly of the club and its supporters since arriving on loan in 2024/25 before his €75m permanent move was completed last summer.

Lookman has previously been linked with Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray at various points in his career. Whether Galatasaray can structure an offer compelling enough to turn Atlético Madrid’s head, with or without Osimhen’s persuasion, remains the central question of what appears a complex and difficult deal.

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Sports

Leao set to miss Eagles friendly after red card

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Portugal winger Rafael Leão is expected to miss his country’s final World Cup build-up game against Nigeria on Wednesday after being sent off in Saturday’s friendly against Chile, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Leão was dismissed shortly before half-time for punching Chile defender Ivan Román in the face.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Portugal secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of second-half goals from Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes before Román halved the deficit in stoppage time.

The AC Milan forward was handed a starting berth after missing several of the club’s recent matches through suspension and selection decisions by coach Max Allegri.

As a result of his latest dismissal, Leão is expected to miss Wednesday’s friendly against Nigeria if handed the standard one-match suspension.

His suspension could however extend into their group games at the World Cup, potentially missing the games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

The clash against Nigeria at the at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria will be Portugal’s third tune up game before departing for the World Cup having won 2-0 against co-hosts USA and Chile as well.

For Nigeria, it will mark the end of a rebuilding window under coach Eric Chelle.

Last Wednesday, the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland in Warsaw.

Before then, they had beaten Zimbabwe and Jamaica enroute to retaining the Unity Cup title in London.

The last time both countries met before the 2022 World Cup, Portugal beat Nigeria 4-0.

Like it was four years ago, the Super Eagles have missed out on another edition of the tournament, marking their first time they will be missing consecutive tournaments since their first appearance in 1994.

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