Nigeria Players Abroad
‘He Must Rediscover Himself’: O’Neill Challenges Iheanacho — Celtic Boss Wants Nigerian Back To Peak Form
Martin O’Neill has expressed his delight at having Kelechi Iheanacho back from injury, but has challenged the striker to rediscover his best form as Celtic enter the decisive stage of the season.
Speaking after Iheanacho’s return to action, O’Neill acknowledged the impact injuries have had on the forward since his arrival at the club.
“It disrupted him,” he said, pointing to the challenges the Nigerian faced in maintaining consistency.
Despite those setbacks, the manager is optimistic about what Iheanacho can offer, especially as Celtic push for success in the closing weeks of the campaign.
“I’m happy he’s back,” he noted.
However, O’Neill made it clear that simply returning from injury is not enough.
He revealed that he has had an honest and direct conversation with the striker about his career trajectory and expectations moving forward.
“We spoke about it,” he explained.
The message was simple, Iheanacho must rediscover the form that once made him one of the most promising forwards in the game.
“He has to find his peak again,” O’Neill implied.
For Iheanacho, the challenge now is to build on his recent performances and deliver consistently, both in terms of goals and overall contribution.
With Celtic chasing silverware, every player is expected to perform at their highest level.
The manager’s comments reflect both belief and demand, confidence in Iheanacho’s ability, but also a clear expectation of improvement.
For fans, the striker’s return offers hope, but also raises questions about whether he can reach the level required.
As the season approaches its climax, all eyes will be on Iheanacho.
Because in football, talent opens the door.
But consistency keeps you in the room.
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The post ‘He Must Rediscover Himself’: O’Neill Challenges Iheanacho — Celtic Boss Wants Nigerian Back To Peak Form appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Players Abroad
13-Year-Old Sunderland Star Liam Ogunsuyi Joins Manchester City
Liam Ogunsuyi has taken another big step in his young football career after confirming his move to Premier League giants Manchester City.
The Nigerian-descended teenager joins City’s academy from Sunderland following an impressive rise through the club’s youth system.
Ogunsuyi made history last season when he became the youngest player to feature in the U18 Premier League at just 13 years old. He came off the bench during Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in March 2026, becoming the club’s youngest-ever U18 player.
Despite his age, the young forward regularly played above his age group and recorded more than 50 goal contributions for Sunderland’s U16s. His performances also earned him the club’s Academy Player of the Season award for the 2024-25 campaign.
Now, Ogunsuyi is beginning a new chapter at Manchester City.
Confirming the move on Instagram, he wrote: “New chapter. Same standard. Different stage.”
The teenager will now continue his development at one of the Premier League’s leading academies.
The post 13-Year-Old Sunderland Star Liam Ogunsuyi Joins Manchester City appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Players Abroad
Nigerian Players Scorecard: Iheanacho, Orban, Oshoala Shine as Nwabali, Okobi-Okeoghene Impress
Nigerian players continued to make their presence felt across Europe, Africa and North America over the weekend, with several Super Eagles and Super Falcons stars delivering influential performances for their respective clubs.
READ ALSO: Iheanacho on Fire! Super Eagles Star Hits Brace as Bursaspor Complete Comeback | Sports247 Nigeria
Sports247 reports that from goals and assists to clean sheets and historic milestones, the weekend provided plenty of positive moments for Nigeria’s international stars abroad.
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho maintained his extraordinary scoring form for Bursaspor, scoring twice as his side came from behind to defeat Batman Petrolspor 2-1.
The Nigerian striker once again proved decisive when his team needed him most, scoring the equaliser before completing the comeback with his second goal.
The brace further underlined Iheanacho’s remarkable start to the season, with the forward now credited with 11 goals and two assists in eight matches across competitions.
Gift Orban was another Nigerian forward to make headlines in Turkey, scoring and providing an assist as Amedspor defeated Wilfred Ndidi’s Beşiktaş 3-2. Orban produced one of the highlights of the weekend with a spectacular 25-yard strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
The goal took his league tally to seven goals, while his assist brought his contribution to seven goals and two assists in six Turkish Super Lig appearances, according to the supplied match statistics.
Ndidi featured for Beşiktaş, but it was Orban who emerged as one of the key performers in the five-goal contest.
Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala delivered an outstanding attacking performance as Al Hilal Ladies demolished Al Ahli Ladies 9-0. Oshoala scored twice and provided two assists, directly contributing to four goals in an emphatic victory.
The result marked Al Hilal’s first league victory of the season following their opening-day defeat to Al Ittihad. Fellow Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe was also involved in the victory.
Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene celebrated a memorable milestone in Canada, scoring her first two Northern Super League goals as Ottawa Rapid defeated Calgary Wild 3-1.
The Super Falcons veteran opened the scoring in the fourth minute before completing her brace in the 78th minute. Johanne Fridlund scored Ottawa’s other goal.
The performance helped Ottawa end a five-match losing streak, while Okobi-Okeoghene’s brace marked her first NSL goals.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali continued his encouraging form as Chippa United secured a 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy.
The goalkeeper helped his side protect their advantage as Chippa United claimed an important away victory. The result was settled by a 62nd-minute strike from K. Majadibodu.
Frank Onyeka also featured as Coventry City recorded a historic 1-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest. Jay Dasilva scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, while Nottingham Forest thought they had equalized late through Igor Jesus. The goal was subsequently ruled out following a VAR review.
The victory ended Coventry’s 25-year wait for a Premier League victory, providing a major breakthrough after their difficult start to the campaign.
Tolu Arokodare also made an immediate impact after coming off the bench for Ajax against Excelsior.
The Nigerian forward replaced Kasper Dolberg in the 62nd minute and scored shortly afterwards to help Ajax secure a 2-2 draw.
Overall, the weekend offered another strong showcase of Nigerian talent abroad, with established internationals and emerging stars continuing to make important contributions for their clubs across different leagues.
The post Nigerian Players Scorecard: Iheanacho, Orban, Oshoala Shine as Nwabali, Okobi-Okeoghene Impress appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Players Abroad
Semi Ajayi Stars as Hull City Beat Awoniyi’s Coventry to Maintain Perfect Premier League Start
Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi produced another commanding defensive display as Hull City continued their remarkable start to the Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Taiwo Awoniyi’s Coventry City.
Sports247 reports that Ajayi played a key role at the heart of Hull City’s defence, helping the newly promoted Tigers secure a valuable clean sheet and maintain their perfect record after the opening two matches of the campaign.
Hull City entered the fixture with confidence following their impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United on the opening weekend. They followed that result with another disciplined performance against Coventry, securing back-to-back wins.
The latest victory means Hull City have collected the maximum six points from their first two matches, placing them alongside Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table in the early stages of the season.
For Ajayi, the defender’s contribution has been central to Hull City’s impressive beginning. His defensive solidity and experience have helped provide stability at the back as the Tigers adjust to life in England’s top flight following their promotion.
Hull City’s opening results have now produced an impressive sequence:
Hull City 2-0 Manchester United
Hull City 1-0 Coventry City
The Tigers have scored three goals across the two matches while conceding none, underlining the effectiveness of their defensive organisation.
The fixture also brought together two Nigerian internationals, with Ajayi representing Hull City and Taiwo Awoniyi featuring for Coventry City.
While Awoniyi’s side were unable to find a breakthrough, Ajayi and his defensive teammates successfully frustrated the visitors throughout the encounter.
The result provides Hull City with further belief that they can compete at the highest level following their promotion, although the season remains long and significantly more challenging tests await.
For Ajayi, meanwhile, the early campaign offers an opportunity to establish himself as one of the key defensive figures in Hull City’s Premier League adventure.
The Nigerian international will now look ahead to the Tigers’ next assignment as they attempt to preserve their unbeaten record and continue their unexpected challenge near the summit.
The post Semi Ajayi Stars as Hull City Beat Awoniyi’s Coventry to Maintain Perfect Premier League Start appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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