International Football
Maduka Okoye Earns Praise After Strong Return From Injury
Maduka Okoye marked his return from injury with a confident display as Udinese secured a 1-0 victory over Padova in the Coppa Italia. The Super Eagles goalkeeper returned to competitive action after spending time on the sidelines and immediately made his presence felt.
The Nigerian looked composed throughout the game, showing good concentration and handling the situations that came his way with confidence. With Udinese holding only a one-goal advantage, Okoye’s ability to remain focused was important as the team looked to protect their lead.
His return was made even more impressive by the fact that he finished the game with a clean sheet. Rather than showing signs of recovering from injury, Maduka Okoye looked comfortable between the posts and provided reassurance to the defence in front of him.
Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic was pleased with Okoye’s performance, particularly his ability to come straight back into the team and help secure the clean sheet. The manager’s praise underlines the importance of having the Nigerian goalkeeper available as Udinese prepare for the challenges of the new season.
For Maduka Okoye, the comeback could hardly have started better. A win, a clean sheet and the confidence of his manager give the Nigerian a strong platform to build on.The next challenge will be maintaining that level of performance as Udinese face tougher opposition in Serie A.
The post Maduka Okoye Earns Praise After Strong Return From Injury appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
International Football
Mourinho laughs at Manchester City guilty verdict
Jose Mourinho has said he does not believe that a final verdict and punishment against Manchester City will be handed in his lifetime.
José Mourinho managed Manchester United during part of the period that Manchester City were deemed to have committed financial crimes.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the current Real Madrid coach is skeptical that City’s verdict and punishment will be handed down during his lifetime.
“Manchester City? I can laugh about it,” he said
“I suspect there will be a verdict. But I’m in my sixties now, so I’ll have to be lucky to still be around when that verdict comes. First, there’ll be a verdict, then an appeal… By then I’ll be eighty.”
Mourinho himself has learned to be at the center of scandals and how to handle them.
“It’s the bad luck associated with the time I joined certain clubs. Here, at Real, I experienced the Negreira affair. Later there was a big scandal in Turkey. I’ve been in these types of situations,” he said.
The post Mourinho laughs at Manchester City guilty verdict first appeared on Score Nigeria.
International Football
Demehin Claims First Benfica Trophy With Portuguese Super Cup Triumph
Super Falcons defender Oluwatosin Demehin has won her first trophy with Benfica just weeks after joining the Portuguese champions from Turkish side Galatasaray.
Super Falcons defender Oluwatosin Demehin celebrates first trophy with Benfica
Demehin was part of the Benfica squad that defeated FC Porto 5-1 to win the Portuguese Women’s Super Cup on Sunday, September 6, giving the Nigerian defender an immediate taste of silverware at her new club.
The victory handed Benfica their fourth Portuguese Women’s Super Cup title as they began the 2026/27 season with a dominant win over their rivals in Viseu.
Benfica took control of the final with goals from Frøya Dorsin, Nycole Raysla, Marit Lund, Caroline Møller and Anna Csiki.
For Demehin, the trophy marks a memorable start to life in Portugal.
The 24-year-old centre-back joined Benfica in August on a three-year contract, keeping her at the Lisbon-based club until 2029. Her move came after two seasons with Galatasaray, where she continued her development in European football.
Demehin’s journey has taken her across three countries since leaving Nigeria.
The former Rivers Angels defender moved to France in 2022 to join Stade de Reims before signing for Galatasaray in 2024. After two seasons in Turkey, she secured another major move, joining one of Portugal’s most successful women’s football clubs.
She did not have to wait long for her first piece of silverware.
Although still settling into her new environment, Demehin was included in Benfica’s squad for the Super Cup final as the Portuguese champions began their season with a statement victory.
The Nigerian international will now be hoping to establish herself as a key player in Benfica’s defence as the new campaign unfolds.
Demehin arrives at Benfica with valuable experience from domestic and international football, having represented Nigeria at senior level and featured for the Super Falcons in major competitions.
Her move to Portugal also represents another significant step for Nigerian women footballers continuing to make their mark across Europe.
For Demehin, however, the Benfica journey has started with the best possible introduction.
A move from Galatasaray in August. A first trophy in September and a 5-1 victory over FC Porto to celebrate it.
Tosin Demehin’s Benfica chapter is only beginning, but the Super Falcons defender already has silverware to show for it.
The post Demehin Claims First Benfica Trophy With Portuguese Super Cup Triumph appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
International Football
Kelechi Iheanacho strikes late as Bursaspor edge Manisa
Kelechi Iheanacho delivered another decisive moment for Bursaspor, scoring a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Manisa FK in the Turkish second tier on Sunday.
Late winner sees Kelechi Iheanacho continue fine form in Turkey
The Nigerian forward struck in stoppage time as Bursaspor completed their comeback away from home, continuing his impressive goalscoring form since joining the Turkish club.
Manisa had taken the lead after capitalising on an error from Bursaspor goalkeeper Kerem Matışlı, but Iheanacho helped the visitors fight back.
The Nigerian found the net to bring Bursaspor level before returning with the decisive contribution deep into added time to seal all three points for his side.
The latest performance adds to what has been a remarkable start to life in Turkey for Iheanacho.
Before the trip to Manisa, the former Super Eagles forward had scored six goals and provided two assists in his first five league appearances for Bursaspor. He had also scored twice in Bursaspor’s 4-0 victory over İstanbulspor earlier in the week.
His influence was once again evident against Manisa as Bursaspor needed a response after falling behind.
Iheanacho’s ability to deliver in crucial moments has quickly made him one of the key figures in the Bursaspor attack, with the Nigerian continuing to combine goalscoring with match-winning contributions.
The victory takes Bursaspor’s points tally to 15 as the club continues its push near the top of the league table.
For Iheanacho, the performance provides another positive chapter in a season that is rapidly gathering momentum.
The Nigerian forward has enjoyed several difficult periods in recent years, but his early form at Bursaspor has offered a reminder of the quality that once made him one of Nigeria‘s most exciting attacking prospects.
Goals have followed him in Turkey, and more importantly for Bursaspor, they have increasingly come at decisive moments.
Against Manisa, Iheanacho once again showed his value.
With the game heading towards its closing stages, the Nigerian stepped up when his team needed him most.
Another game. Another major contribution.
And this time, Kelechi Iheanacho‘s late intervention gave Bursaspor three valuable points.
The post Kelechi Iheanacho strikes late as Bursaspor edge Manisa appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
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