Sports

Is Chikeluba Francis Ofoedu The Next Rashidi Yekini For Super Eagles?

Published

6 years ago

January 21, 2019

Ever since the late goal king Rashidi Yekini, who till date is the all time highest goal scorer of the Super Eagles, called it quits with the national team, Nigeria has not been able to find a replacement.

But the big question is why should finding a replacement for a top striker for the senior national team be a problem, considering the array of Nigerian goal bangers scattered all over the world?

Findings have shown that there is hardly a reputable football club in any part of the globe that doesn’t have atleast a Nigerian player, majority of whom are strikers.

Some of them are so good that they have continued to be lured by football clubs from one country and continent to another.

And some of them out of patriotism and love for fatherland, have continued to yearn for an invitation to the Super Eagles, in order to fill the vacuum.
But unfortunately, their yearnings have continued to go unnoticed by handlers of the team and authorities concerned.

One of such “beautiful brides” and patriotic Nigerian is Chikeluba Francis Ofoedu, popularly known as Chico by his friends and admirers.

Chikeluba is not a stranger to many at the home front as he started his blossoming football career in Nigeria.

Chico was born on November, 12 1992 in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

He currently plays for Isreali top division outfit, Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he has become a highly celebrated footballer, going by his performances for the club since joining them just last year.

Chikeluba Francis Ofoedu began his football career in Enugu like every other footballer; playing on the streets.

But in 2003, he was able to give his career another meaning when he joined Rivlane Academy under the tutelage of a former Udoji United defender Jude Agada, who was his coach and the very first coach that started teaching him the rudiments of the game.

In 2007, having felt he needed a bigger challenge, he joined the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Football Club, an Amateur League side, where he became the highest goal scorer with 12 goals the following year.

The team also participated in the Federation Cup, Nigeria’s oldest football competition.

He was later spotted by one of Nigeria’s traditional football clubs, Enugu Rangers, where he got an opportunity to join the youth team.

His rare talent saw him make it to the senior team of the club in the 2011-2012 season, where he scored eleven goals in the premier league campaign and became one of the best performers in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

His feat got the attention of some European Football clubs, who approached Enugu Rangers for his signature. A deal was later struck with Turkish side 1461 Trabzon, where he scored seven goals in twenty five appearances.

This rare feat caught the attention of another Turkish side Karşıyaka in 2013, where he scored twelve goals in forty appearances.

He later moved to Samsunspor in 2014 and bagged twenty goals in forty-nine appearances for the club.

Another Turkish side Eskişehirspor saw a great petential in this young Nigerian and got his signature in the year 2014. He scored nineteen goals in fifty-eight appearances for the club between 2016 and early last year, a feat that made it difficult for the management of the club to release him when offers came for him from Israeli top division outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv.

But after a fruitful discussion and much persuasions, the management of Eskişehirspor agreed a term with the Israeli side and so Chico moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv last year, where he has recorded five goals so far in Ten appearances and two assists.

Chikeluba Ofoedu is rated as one of the best Nigerian strikers in Europe, a reason why the Super Eagles need him in it’s fold.

It would be a great decision if the coaches and handlers of the Super Eagles could extend an invitation to this superb goal banger to compete alongside other strikers of the National team, since according to him, his biggest dream is to play in the Nigerian National team.

But would such dream come true for Chikeluba Francis “Chico” Ofoedu?

Only time will tell!

Related Topics:coverstory sports super eagles

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Sports

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.

A Masterclass Performance

Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.

The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.

“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”

A Legacy Sealed

Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.

The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.

Fury’s Uncertain Future

The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.

Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.

Sports

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Lille’s financial gain from Victor Osimhen’s high-profile 2020 transfer to Napoli was far less than expected, with the French club earning only €7 million despite the deal being valued at over €70 million. The shocking revelation was made by Lille’s President, Olivier Letang, who explained that the €7 million figure was the net result after factoring in the purchase price of Osimhen, four Napoli players who never played for Lille, and various intermediary fees and commissions.

“The net amount, after accounting for the player’s purchase, four players valued at €20 million who never featured for us, as well as intermediaries and commissions, was around €7 million,” Letang told L’Equipe TV.

This disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations by both Italian and French authorities into the circumstances surrounding the transfer, though Napoli has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Napoli’s legal team highlighted the club’s clean record, with lawyer Mattia Grassani emphasizing that the club had been acquitted after facing scrutiny from multiple judicial levels.

Letang, who took over as Lille’s President months after Osimhen’s departure, has now shed light on the intricate financial details behind the deal that saw Osimhen move to Italy. The striker’s move to Napoli would become a pivotal moment in his career, propelling him to stardom and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Born in the tough environment of Lagos’ Olusosun community, Osimhen’s rise to prominence began at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 10 goals. After stints at Wolfsburg in Germany and Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen’s impressive performances at Lille led to his transfer to Napoli, where he went on to score 76 goals in 133 appearances. In 2023, he helped Napoli end their long wait for the Serie A title, earning the Serie A Golden Boot and breaking records, including becoming the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, with 10 goals and five assists in just 14 appearances. Though contracted to Napoli until 2026, his future remains uncertain, as his contract includes clauses that could facilitate a permanent departure either in January or the summer. The details of his transfer and the shifting dynamics between player and club add another layer to the complex and ongoing saga of Osimhen’s career.

Sports

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Moroccan football enthusiasts have expressed disappointment following Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi’s loss in the race for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman clinched the prestigious title during the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday evening. Lookman’s achievement sees him succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking consecutive wins for Nigeria in the category.

Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 made a compelling case for his selection. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final—the Italian club’s first-ever European title. Additionally, the 27-year-old was instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, contributing three goals and an assist, and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

Speculation leading up to the awards had suggested that Hakimi was the favorite for the accolade, given his outstanding contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain throughout the year. Reports from Moroccan and French media fueled expectations of a Hakimi win, only for Lookman to be announced as the victor.

The decision has drawn criticism from Moroccan football analysts and fans. Tawfiq Al-Sanhaji, a prominent sports commentator, told 365scores: “It is a great regret for all Moroccan fans, and for all those who follow football in Morocco, because Achraf Hakimi presented distinguished levels throughout the year with the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Another sports analyst, Abdel Salam Kourahi, suggested potential internal politics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) might have influenced the outcome. He remarked, “Perhaps there were understandings, calculations, and divisions within CAF that tipped the scales in favor of the Nigerian over the Moroccan international at the last minute.”

Some fans also pointed to past decisions by CAF, noting that Yassine Bounou, a key player in Sevilla’s Europa League victories in 2020 and 2023, was similarly overlooked for the award.

Lookman’s victory represents a milestone for Nigerian football. It is the first time in three decades that the nation has produced back-to-back winners of the African Player of the Year award, harking back to the consecutive victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

While Lookman’s achievements are undeniably remarkable, the debate over the decision underscores the intense passion and pride that the African Player of the Year award evokes across the continent.