Nigeria Misses 2026 World Cup, Osimhen’s €75m Galatasaray Move, Super Falcons’ WAFCON Glory and Other Major Nigerian Football Moments That Defined 2025

Nigerian football in 2025 was a year of sharp contrasts, marked by historic disappointments, landmark achievements and defining off-the-pitch controversies. As the year came to an end, fans reflected on moments that reshaped the nation’s football narrative, with the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup standing out as the most painful low point. After a two-year qualification campaign, Nigeria’s hopes were dashed following a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African playoffs, leaving millions of supporters heartbroken.

Despite the World Cup setback, the year also delivered significant positives. The Super Falcons reaffirmed their dominance in African women’s football by winning a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, defeating hosts Morocco in the final and earning national acclaim and financial rewards from the federal government.

At club level, Remo Stars made history by winning their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, a milestone achievement celebrated across the domestic football scene. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen’s career took another major turn as the Super Eagles striker completed a record-breaking €75 million permanent transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray, choosing loyalty and stability over lucrative moves elsewhere.

The year also saw notable changes in leadership and personnel. Eric Sekou Chelle became the Super Eagles’ head coach, making history as the first non-Nigerian African to manage the national team. Veteran players William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa retired from international football, closing important chapters in Nigeria’s football history.

However, controversies lingered, including protests by Super Eagles players over unpaid allowances and renewed scrutiny of the Nigeria Football Federation over alleged financial mismanagement.

Overall, 2025 will be remembered as a turbulent but transformative year for Nigerian football — one defined by World Cup heartbreak, individual brilliance, domestic success, and renewed hopes of redemption at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Enyimba FC Fires Back at Brown Ideye Over Welfare Claims: “He Was One of Our Highest Paid!”

Enyimba FC has broken its silence on accusations made by ex-Super Eagles star, Brown Ideye, who recently slammed the club for allegedly neglecting player welfare during his time on the team.

The Aba-based club labeled Ideye’s comments as “misleading and self-serving,” revealing that he was not only one of the best-paid players in the squad — earning ₦1 million monthly — but also received premium benefits, including ₦65,000-per-night hotel stays and air travel perks.

Ideye’s short stint, which followed a highly publicized move hailed as a win for Nigerian football, ended on a sour note. Despite the investment, he netted just five goals across all competitions, leaving fans and management disheartened.

“He was brought in to inspire and lead, but he never delivered,” said a club official. Insiders also allege his presence stirred friction within the squad, citing poor integration and commitment — factors that reportedly deterred other clubs from signing him earlier.

Under the leadership of football legend Kanu Nwankwo, Enyimba had hoped Ideye’s arrival would spark a new era. Instead, the fallout has raised fresh questions about player-club relations in Nigeria’s football scene.

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