Injury-plagued Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface is celebrating his return to the European spotlight, following his brace of goals for Bayer Leverkusen in a very dramatic pre-season friendly at the weekend, Sports247 reports.

READ ALSO: Back From Injury: ‘I’m Ready To Help’ — Boniface Targets Strong Finish After Long Layoff

While his compatriot, Nathan Tella was also on the score sheet for Leverkusen in the same encounter, the major talking point was about the return of Boniface, who spent all of last season struggling while on loan at Werder Bremen.

However, in what appears like a spirited effort to show that he is ready to stake a bold claim and return to relevance at the former club of ex-international, Karibe Pascal Ojigwe, Boniface made the best of his first match back.

The product of Real Sapphire FC of Lagos hit the bull’s eye twice to help Leverkusen start their pre-season campaign in emphatic style, with a 7-0 win over fifth-tier German side, Sportfreunde Baumberg.

It was the first game for Leverkusen’s new coach, Carles Martínez, and the team got off to a canter when summer signing, Afonso Moreira hit two first-half goals on his debut, while Christian Kofane also scored before the break.

Boniface then took over after the break, as he struck twice, following which Robert Andrich and Tella completed the rout within the game’s 70-minute timeline, as Martinez handed opportunities to several young players, while new signing, Kennet Eichhorn was unavailable.

Sports247 reports further that Boniface took to social media to celebrate his brace of goals, as he posted a selfie showing himself with two raised fingers to indicate his double strike at the weekend.

He will now aim for a continuum of his spark back at Leverkusen when they continue their pre-season build-up schedule this weekend with another friendly, this time out against Kickers Offenbach.

The post Victor Boniface Celebrates Brace Of Goals For Bayer Leverkusen In Pre-season Friendly appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has capped a remarkable debut season in England by finishing as the goalkeeper with the highest save percentage in the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League.

READ ALSO: Chiamaka Nnadozie Has Spectacular Quality, Says Brighton Veteran Nikita Parris

The Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper recorded an impressive 74.7 per cent save rate, narrowly beating Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who finished with 74.6 per cent, while Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce placed third on 73.6 per cent.

Nnadozie, who joined Brighton from Paris FC on a free transfer in July 2025, quickly established herself as one of the league’s finest goalkeepers.

Across 19 league appearances, the 24-year-old faced 83 shots on target and denied 62 of them, underlining her consistency in one of Europe’s most competitive women’s leagues.

The Nigerian international also kept six clean sheets and prevented an estimated 3.3 goals, with her performances playing a key role in Brighton’s competitive campaign.

Earlier in the season, Nnadozie won the WSL Save of the Month award following a spectacular fingertip stop against Liverpool. That effort also earned her a nomination for the league’s Save of the Season honour.

Beyond her individual accolades, the former Paris FC goalkeeper was instrumental in Brighton’s historic run to their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final.

Although the Seagulls narrowly lost to Manchester City at Wembley, Nnadozie produced another standout display with six crucial saves.

Her impressive campaign also saw her finish joint-fourth in the WSL clean sheets chart, further cementing her reputation as one of England’s elite goalkeepers.

The outstanding season adds to an already glittering year for the Super Falcons star, who was crowned CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for a record third consecutive time and finished fourth in the race for the Yashin Trophy.

Nnadozie has now switched her focus to international duty after linking up with the Super Falcons in Morocco ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria will be chasing a record-extending 11th continental title.

With her confidence soaring after a stellar maiden season in England, the Brighton goalkeeper will be expected to play a pivotal role in the Falcons’ quest for African glory.

The post Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie Emerges as Save Queen in England, Edges Chelsea’s Hampton  appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Former Benin Republic international Mouritala Ogunbiyi has revealed why he chose to represent the Cheetahs over his country of birth, Nigeria, saying the decision was driven by opportunity, appreciation, and the chance to fulfil his international ambitions.

Speaking exclusively to Sports247 during the colourful appreciation ceremony held in honour of immediate past Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chairman Chief Olaseinde Bankole (Zico) at the Oba Moshood Alani Oyede Mini Stadium, Joju, Sango-Ota, Ogunbiyi paid glowing tribute to the veteran coach for supporting him at a crucial stage of his career.

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“I really appreciate Coach Zico because he supported my career when I needed it most,” Ogunbiyi said.

The event, organised by the Leventis Joju Area Sports Committee, brought together football stakeholders, former internationals, coaches, and administrators to celebrate Bankole’s immense contributions to grassroots football development.

Reflecting on his international career, Ogunbiyi admitted that missing out on the Super Eagles was one of football’s realities, insisting that circumstances and connections often determine opportunities at the highest level.

“It’s a long story. Connections affect some good players from achieving their dream of representing the Super Eagles. Benin Republic appreciated my talent and welcomed me as family,” he explained.

The former midfielder traced his football journey from the grassroots in Ota, where he began his career before joining Indomie FC and later moving to Benin Republic to pursue professional football.

Ogunbiyi enjoyed a distinguished career, representing clubs including Enyimba FC, Étoile du Sahel, Guingamp, Nîmes, Paris FC, and USS Krake, winning trophies at virtually every club he played for.

“One unique thing about my career is that I won laurels with every club I represented,” he proudly stated.

The creative midfielder earned 47 international caps and scored six goals for Benin Republic between 1998 and 2019. He was also a member of the Benin squad that featured at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, facing Nigeria during the tournament.

Asked where his loyalty would lie if Nigeria met Benin Republic in an AFCON final, Ogunbiyi gave an emphatic response.

“It will surely be Benin Republic. I played in three AFCON tournaments and faced Nigeria, even though we lost. My heart belongs to the Dahomey.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude for the love he received throughout his international career.

“I was loved for my creativity in Benin Republic, and the name Mouritala Ogunbiyi became everyone’s favourite.”

Ogunbiyi’s story remains a powerful reminder of how opportunity, recognition, and belief can shape the international careers of African footballers.

The post “Benin Appreciated My Talent When Nigeria Didn’t” — Ex-Benin International Mouritala Ogunbiyi Reflects on Career, Loyalty appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.