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Enyimba Appoint Atlanta 96 Olympic Gold Winner Uche Okechukwu as New Sporting Director

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Nigeria Premier Football League giants Enyimba FC have appointed former Super Eagles defender and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Uche Okechukwu as the club’s new Sporting Director, handing a key leadership position to one of Nigerian football’s most respected figures.

The Aba-based club confirmed the appointment on Saturday in a letter signed by chairman Nwankwo Kanu, who was Okechukwu’s teammate during Nigeria’s historic Olympic triumph in Atlanta.

Okechukwu, widely known as “the Gentle Giant,” replaces Ifeanyi Ekwueme who resigned following recruitment and management issues that contributed to the team’s underwhelming results this season.

The 57-year-old brings exceptional international experience to the role, having earned 47 caps for Nigeria across a distinguished career that spanned two FIFA World Cups, two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and the memorable 1996 Olympic Games where Nigeria claimed gold.

At club level, Okechukwu enjoyed remarkable success during 13 years in Turkey, becoming the country’s longest-serving foreign player and eventually obtaining Turkish citizenship under the name Deniz Uygar.

His journey began with Flash Flamingoes and Iwuanyanwu Nationale in Nigeria, where he won consecutive league titles in 1988 and 1989, before moving to Danish club Brondby IF in 1990.

At Brondby, Okechukwu established himself as a defensive cornerstone, winning back-to-back Danish championships in 1990 and 1991 while helping the team reach the UEFA Cup semi-finals. His outstanding performances earned him Brondby’s Player of the Year award in 1992.

Fenerbahce secured his services in November 1993 for a substantial DKK8 million transfer fee, where he formed a formidable defensive partnership with former Brondby teammate Jes Hogh and helped deliver the club’s first Süper Lig title in seven years.

During nearly 250 official appearances for Fenerbahce across eight seasons, Okechukwu won another league championship in the 2000-01 campaign before moving to Istanbulspor and eventually returning to Nigeria with Ocean Boys and Bayelsa United.

At international level, Okechukwu was instrumental in Nigeria’s golden generation. He featured in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph over Zambia and was one of three overage players selected for the Atlanta Olympics squad alongside Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke.

The defender started all six matches during the 1996 Olympic tournament, providing crucial stability as Nigeria became the first African nation to win Olympic football gold, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the final under Kanu’s captaincy.

Okechukwu represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, appearing in seven complete matches and helping the Super Eagles reach consecutive Round of 16 stages. He retired from international duty following the 1998 tournament’s defeat to Denmark, having served as captain on multiple occasions from 1996 onwards.

Enyimba’s management and supporters are hopeful that Okechukwu’s extensive experience and leadership qualities will drive a new era of success for the People’s Elephant, who last won the CAF Champions League in 2004 and claimed the NPFL title in 2023.

The appointment reunites Okechukwu with Kanu, who transitioned from playing legend to administrative leader when he was named Enyimba chairman in 2023 following his retirement and subsequent philanthropic work.

With the club currently facing challenges in maintaining its traditional dominance in Nigerian football, Okechukwu’s arrival signals ambitious intentions to rebuild competitive structures and restore Enyimba’s status as the country’s premier football institution.

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MK Dons Captain Favour Omenazu Gets First Super Falcons Call-Up After Choosing Nigeria

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Milton Keynes Dons captain Favour Omenazu has received her first-ever call-up to the Nigeria senior women’s national team after committing her international future to the Super Falcons.

Omenazu was included in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifying fixtures against Comoros, marking a major milestone in the 24-year-old’s career.

The midfielder, who is also eligible to represent England, publicly expressed her desire to play for Nigeria earlier this year. She said representing the country would be a proud moment because of her Nigerian heritage and family roots.

Omenazu also said her ambition was not simply to earn a place in the national team but to contribute to the Super Falcons’ success.

The MK Dons captain has developed into an important player for the English club and is known for her versatility. Although she primarily operates as a midfielder, she has also impressed at right-back, a position where she has earned several Player of the Match awards.

Her football journey began at Leicester City before spells with Bugbrooke St Michaels, Northampton Town and Stourbridge preceded her move to MK Dons.

Omenazu’s invitation comes as Nigeria prepares for a two-legged Olympic qualifying tie against Comoros.

The first leg is scheduled for October 9, while the return fixture will take place on October 13. Both matches are set to be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo because Comoros does not have a CAF-approved venue for the fixture.

The Super Falcons have also been dealing with several player withdrawals ahead of the qualifiers, creating opportunities for new faces to join the squad.

Omenazu has now joined the group in camp as Nigeria begins preparations for the crucial Olympic qualifying encounter.

The call-up gives the MK Dons captain an opportunity to make her senior international debut and begin her journey with the Super Falcons after choosing Nigeria over England.

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BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo Walks Away From Portugal Camp After Jorge Jesus Snub

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Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally walked away from Portugal’s national-team camp after head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would not start the upcoming match against Denmark.
The dramatic development follows Ronaldo’s shock omission from Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway, where he spent the entire match on the bench despite warming up.


Ronaldo has now broken his silence, revealing that he decided to leave the camp following Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.


“After the press conference of the National Team Coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the National Team camp,” Ronaldo said.


The Portugal captain added that he would eventually reveal the reasons behind his decision, before wishing the national team and his teammates well.


The timing has immediately raised questions over whether Ronaldo has effectively called time on his international career.
However, there is currently no confirmed official announcement that Ronaldo has permanently retired from international football. What is confirmed is that he has left the camp amid an escalating dispute over his role under Jorge Jesus.

After more than two decades of carrying Portugal’s No. 7 shirt, the football world is now waiting for Ronaldo’s next move — and, crucially, the explanation he has promised to give.

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Super Eagles Beat Madagascar 2-1 in AFCON 2027 Qualifier as Ilenikhena, Usor Score

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The visitors took an early lead in the 16th minute when Clément Couturier headed Ryan Ponti’s cross beyond the Nigerian defence to put Madagascar 1-0 ahead.

Nigeria responded with sustained pressure as George Ilenikhena came close on several occasions. The young forward eventually got his reward in first-half stoppage time after Alex Iwobi picked him out inside the box. Ilenikhena calmly placed the ball into the bottom-left corner to restore parity.

The Super Eagles returned for the second half looking for a winner, with Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey both going close.

Coach Eric Chelle then made changes, bringing on Moses Usor and Moses Simon in an attempt to add more attacking energy.

The substitutions quickly paid off.

In the 65th minute, Usor collected a pass from Semi Ajayi inside Nigeria’s half, drove forward past two Madagascar players and finished with his left foot to give Nigeria a 2-1 advantage.

The goal marked an impressive competitive debut for the LASK winger.

Madagascar refused to give up and created opportunities as they searched for an equaliser. Nigeria also had chances to extend their lead, but the Super Eagles ultimately held on to secure all three points.

The victory gives Nigeria a positive start in Group L of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Their next assignment will be an away match against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

The 2027 AFCON finals will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with Tanzania already assured of a place as one of the co-hosts.

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