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Meet the world’s most expensive female footballer

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Racheal Kundananji

The pressure is on and Racheal Kundananji is not denying it. The Zambia forward became the most expensive female player ever last month when she joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $788,000 (£620,000) and she is only 23 years old. It is a lot to take in.

“There is so much pressure on me [as a result of the world-record transfer fee] but I just have to calm down, focus on my work, and continue playing football,” the striker tells the Guardian from Ndola.

“This is not the end. It’s just the beginning. The expectations of the fans will be so high and opponents are not going to be so friendly to me. That’s why there is so much pressure now.”

The road to the top has not always been straightforward for the former 800m and 1500m middle-distance runner but she has picked up knowledge and experience at every corner. The second of five children, Kundananji was raised by a mother she describes as tough.

“I started playing football in the streets with the young boys, particularly after school,” she says. “There was a guy with Mufulira Blackpool [a club in Zambia’s Copperbelt region, where she – as well as Bwalya Kalusha, the male 1988 African footballer of the year – comes from] that started some teams and I used to play in one of them.

“Every time I play football, I enjoy it. Football is part of my life. I can play from morning to evening. We would make a ball out of plastic [bags] and just play … I grew up in a tough family. My mum didn’t give us that room to misbehave. It was only when I was a lot older that she knew I was spending so much time playing football. When I was younger she just thought I was having fun with my friends and she didn’t know what we were doing … She finally found out when I started playing at a small pitch next to our house. And she was happy with it as I was not getting into any trouble.”

Kundananji’s club career ascent began in 2018 with the Ndola-based Indeni Roses, who signed her after seeing her play for Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe, her hometown. In 2019 she took a huge step into the unknown by signing for the Kazakhstani side BIIK Kazygurt, who were playing in the Champions League at the time.

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“Being from Africa, you see an opportunity [to move out of the continent],” she says. “It might not make sense when you begin the journey but you have to start from somewhere. I saw that they were in the Champions League, which was my dream to play in, so when I saw the opportunity I had to grab it.”

Playing in Europe’s top competition did not make life in Kazakhstan any easier, though, as she was one of only a few African players in the country. “I lived in Shymkent, a small city, for three years. I can say that it was not that friendly for people like us. Black people are not common there. When they see black people on the street it’s very different there to how it is in other European cities and countries.”

For her, the unpleasant treatment did not distract her from the challenge of establishing her European club career. “A soldier is always a soldier. A soldier will always survive in any situation,” she says with a smile. “When you know what you want, you have to learn to cope with things. I wanted to go to a bigger league so I just had to endure everything and use this small opportunity [to create a chance for myself]. To get good things, you have to face a lot of challenges.”

 

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FULL LIST: What Will Happen If Jonathan Wins In 2027

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As ex-President Goodluck Jonathan enters the race for the 2027 election, the political atmosphere is increasingly charged with speculation regarding the possibility of Jonathan winning the race.

Should Jonathan eventually win the election, Nigerian citizens could experience another change of government in many sectors. Click link to continue reading.

'No more N1,700/$ as naira appreciates three consecutive days

 

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EXPOSED: Osimhen fakes injury for Nigeria – Asamoah Gyan

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is facing fresh controversy after a Ghanaian player accused him of faking an injury to minimize his playing time with the Nigerian national team.

Asamoah Gyan, a former Ghanaian striker, made this accusation after Osimhen missed Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. Click link to continue reading.

Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian international, is pressured by football fans to apologize to Finidi George as he is determined to secure a

 

Osimhen had previously returned to Galatasaray following a leg injury sustained during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier last weekend.

Consequently, the 26-year-old did not participate in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana on Tuesday evening at the Free State Stadium.

Galatasaray later issued a statement asserting that Osimhen had suffered an ankle ligament injury.

However, Gyan is skeptical about the legitimacy of the injury.

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He said, “I know these tricks. Someone might have said to Osimhen, ‘Look, we invested a lot of money in you. The Champions League is coming up. We’re not keen on you going to Africa, but go there, play a little, then get injured and act like it’s serious. The next day, you’ll be back in Türkiye.’” Gyan was quoted by habersarikirmizias saying.

 

 

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Oborevwori urges NSC to curb age cheating as 9th NYG ends in Asaba

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Oborevwori urges NSC to curb age cheating as 9th NYG ends in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to urgently address the growing problem of age cheating at editions of the National Youth Games (NYG) to safeguard its credibility and ensure fairness.

Oborevwori made the call on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, during the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Games, which he described as a festival of unity, discipline and excellence.

“What began days ago with great excitement has now come to a glorious conclusion. Today, we celebrate not only the medal winners but also the triumph of sportsmanship and national pride that this festival of youth has demonstrated,” the governor said.

He commended the athletes for their resilience, stressing that whether they won medals or not, they had inspired the nation through their courage and determination.

While praising Team Delta for sustaining its tradition of sporting excellence, he said the Games also provided a platform for discovering new talents from across the country.

The governor, however, lamented that the continued practice of states fielding over-aged athletes undermined the vision of the games.

He urged the NSC to urgently introduce stricter measures to restore integrity and ensure the event remains a true nursery of young talents.

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Oborevwori expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the NSC, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), coaches, officials, and volunteers for their roles in ensuring a smooth and successful outing.

He also thanked the visitors for making Asaba their home during the period the Games lasted, assuring them of Delta’s readiness to host the 10th edition of the Games in 2026, in line with the agreement that gave the state hosting rights for four consecutive editions.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I congratulate every participant and wish you safe travels back to your various destinations,” he concluded.

In his remarks, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, represented by Chief Amaka Asiofu, Director of Grassroots Sports and General Coordinator of the Games, described the Asaba edition as “an incredible experience, marked by fair competition, determination, exciting adventures, and inspirational sportsmanship.”

He praised the Delta State Government for its robust sports development system, noting that the Games had once again provided Nigeria with a fresh pool of athletes who would eventually replace aging national players across various sports.

He assured that the Commission would continue to implement policies to nurture the talents while promoting a sports economic ecosystem that will add value to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dikko also expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oborevwori, the Federal Government, participating states, sponsors, and stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the Games, while lauding President Tinubu for his unwavering support for sports development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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In his own remarks, Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Onoriode Oborevwori, said the Games had showcased not only the competitive spirit of Nigerian athletes, but also the values of friendship, resilience, and cooperation.

He thanked the NSC, organizers, and stakeholders for their commitment and called for continued collaboration to drive development and excellence in sports.

Meanwhile, in the final medal table, Lagos State emerged overall winners for the first time, with a total of 110 medals comprising 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze. Delta State finished second with 114 medals (37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze), while Edo State came third with 79 medals (33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze).

Overall, 33 states won medals at the Games, with a combined total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver, and 320 bronze.

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Why I dumped Nigeria for Turkey – Favour Ofili breaks silence, mentions AFN, NOC in hard decision

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Why I dumped Nigeria for Turkey - Favour Ofili breaks silence, mentions AFN, NOC in hard decision

 

Favour Ofili, a talented track and field athlete known for her impressive performances in the 100m, 150m, and 200m sprints, announced on Monday that she has officially changed her nationality from Nigeria to Turkey.

The 22-year-old athlete made her announcement through a thoughtful post on her X handle, expressing the significance of this pivotal moment in her career.

Speculation about Ofili’s switch had been circulating since July when it became clear that she was considering a move to the European country, a decision driven by her ongoing struggles with the Nigerian athletics authorities.

A particularly distressing episode occurred during her attempt to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she was unable to participate due to Nigerian Olympic authorities failing to inform her about the essential drug-testing requirements needed for eligibility.

Compounding her frustrations, another administrative error from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria thwarted her aspirations of representing her country in the 100m event at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics; they failed to submit her name by the required deadline.

In her heartfelt series of tweets, Ofili revealed that her journey had been marred by a pattern of negligence and miscommunication, leading her to make the difficult but decisive choice to switch her allegiance in hopes of a brighter and more supportive athletic future in Turkey.

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“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible,” she wrote.

“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way! Having won SIX gold medals, TWO silver medals and TWO bronze medals in championship meets and a 200 meter Olympic finalist while experiencing the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC towards me. Negligence towards me in Olympic (Tokyo/Paris). I have made this decision.”

The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist also said financial incentive was not behind her decision to switch allegiance to Turkey.

“While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey,” she added.

Ofili joins the list of high-profile former Nigerian athletes Gloria Alozie and Francis Obikwelu who abandoned Nigerian colours for Spain and Portugal respectively in the 2000s.

 

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‘He Needs Spiritual War’ – Fresh Prophecy On Victor Boniface Revealed

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In a significant turn of events, Victor Boniface, the talented 24-year-old striker for the Super Eagles, has been left in limbo after his highly anticipated transfer to the esteemed Italian club AC Milan fell through at the last moment.

The aspiring forward had returned to training with high hopes, only to face disappointment when the Serie A giants officially withdrew their interest due to unexpected complications that arose during his medical examinations.

The failed deal has left Boniface visibly upset, as many had regarded this transfer as a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career....Click link for details 

Victor Boniface

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Donel Deal: Liverpool sign Alexander Isak for £130m British-record transfer

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Liverpool have reached agreement on a British-record deal to sign striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, according to ESPN.

Premier League champions say they have had a £125 million ($170m) bid accepted to sign the Sweden international, though Newcastle sources state the deal is worth £130m. Click to continue reading

 

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