Connect with us

News

Osho, Adebayo confirm availability for Eagles

England-born Luton Town players of Nigerian descent, Gabriel Osho and Elijah Adebayo, are both open to playing for Nigeria at international level, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Both players were born in England to Nigerian parents but have never made any appearance at international level despite being eligible to play for England and Nigeria.

They have been outstanding for Luton Town, who are battling to stay in the Premier League after gaining promotion to England’s topflight division for the first time in the club’s history in 2023.

For Adebayo, Luton Town’s top scorer with nine goals in 23 Premier League games, is one of the surprise stars of the EPL season and a key player in Luton’s battle to avoid the drop.

The 26-year-old striker scored against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and made history becoming the first Luton Town player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League when he spearheaded their 4-0 rout of Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

Irish international of Nigerian descent, Chidozie Ogbene, scored the other goal in the famous win.

Speaking on where his international future lied, Adebayo told The Times, “I would like to play for Nigeria.

“It would make my mum happy, make her proud. That’s something we’ve spoken about.

“Playing for England? It would be a case of whichever comes first. My mum would be proud if I played for Nigeria or England, but Nigeria especially.”

Osho, on his part, has made 14 Premier League appearances for the Hatters, helping them to four wins, three draws and two clean sheets.

Meanwhile, UK-based David Doherty, who contested the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation at last year’s election, added that both players were open to playing for Nigeria.

“Let us make it clear here once and for all, Gabriel Osho and Elijah Adebayo have always been open and committed to the Nigeria project and there has not been interest or move from England for the duo,” Doherty wrote on Instagram.

“Osho and Adebayo are both guaranteed for Nigeria from age 16 and nothing has ever changed since then. Osho has always been open to Naija, no doubt.”

If they eventually switch allegiance to Nigeria, Adebayo and Osho will follow the path taken by the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman and Leon Balogun.

Luton are currently 17th in the EPL table and are just a point away from the relegation spot with Everton closely behind them.

The Hatters will face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday aimng end their three game winless run in the EPL.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko to Declare Niger Delta Sports Festival Open, as Commission Backs Initiative

 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has thrown its full support behind the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing the event as a significant platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, will officially declare the festival open, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports development across every region in Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the Festival, Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, praised the initiative and called on more states to adopt similar programs to expand Nigeria’s talent pool.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated.

“We encourage more states to adopt similar initiatives to expand the talent pool and strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.”

In a major boost for the event, the NDSF on Friday unveiled PremiumTrust Bank as the official bank of the festival.

The event is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, bringing together athletes from across the region to compete in various sporting disciplines.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival aims to showcase budding talents, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports.

 

Continue Reading

News

JOF Kids Cup: Strong Dove, B. Unit Boys, Versity Boys, First Class Boys Lock Horns In Saturday’s Semi Finals 

JOF U-13 Cup: Teams Battle For Final Tickets

 

The battles from the final tickets among the last set of four teams of the ongoing 6th U-13 JOF Kids Cup now shifted to Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta, Lagos on Saturday.

This is coming after the Round of 8 matches were decided at the Lekki playground and Ojo Oniyun playground on Wednesday.

Strong Dove of Orile beat Miracle FC of Ijesha 1-0 to book a place in the semi finals, while B. Unit Boys from Mainland stopped Oloto Babes in tension-soaked tie that ended 3-2 at Lekki playground.

Versity Boys of Lagos Island ran away victory with 4-3 goals during the penalty shootouts after they had played a 1-1 game in the regulation time against ThankGod Boys of Oko Baba, while First Class Boys from Lagos Island beat Solution Boys 4-2.

According to the semi final fixtures released to the media by organisers, Lagos State Football Association, Strong Dove will settle scores against B. Unit Boys in the first semi-final tie, which kicks off by 12 noon, while Versity Boys will go to war against First Class Boys in the second semi final game on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ojo Oniyun playground, Ebute Metta will be agog on Saturday with more spectators expected to watch the matches than any other day since the tournament began a few weeks ago.

The Lagos State Football Association, the joint organisers of the competition, has invited members of the JOF Under-13 Soccer Tournament Committee to watch the kids displaying their God-given talent on the field of play.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup is sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

Continue Reading

News

Rivers State SWAN To Mentor 80 Varsity Students As Executive Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State chapter says it has lined up series of activities to celebrate one year anniversary of the current executives of the association.
According to Viura Lezigha, Assstant Secretary, Rivers State SWAN/Secretary, Anniversary Committee, “We have lined up three remarkable programs slated from April 4-6, 2025.
“On this regard, the Mentorship program is scheduled for Friday 4th April at the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies Auditorium, Rivers State University (RSU), at 11 am.
“SWAN Rivers State Chapter will mentor over 80 final year students of the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies of the institution about Sports Writing.
“The resource persons for the Mentorship program are Amb. Mrs. Didi Phina Ojogwu, Mr. Carl Orakwe and Mr. Emeka Dennar.
Guests expected to be present at the event are
1. Prof. R. N. Amadi – Dean, Faculty of Communications and Media Studies
2. Dr. Justice Njoku C. – Ag Head of Department, Public Relations and Advertising
3. Dr. N. N. Nwankpa – Ag Head of Department, Journalism and Media Studies
4. Dr. I. Harry – Ag Head of Department, Development Communications Studies
5. Dr O. P. Brisebe – Ag Head of Department, Cinematography and Broadcast Studies

Continue Reading

Trending