Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre Lead Strong Weekend Showing by Nigerian Stars Across Europe and Saudi Arabia

Nigerian players made their mark across multiple leagues over the weekend, with standout performances in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, and France.

At the Saudi Women’s Premier Challenge Cup, Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Francisca Ordega all finished on the podium. Oshoala powered Al Hilal to the final with a hat-trick during the tournament but ended on the losing side as Al Nassr claimed a 2–0 victory in the final. Goals from Ruth Kipoyi and Clara Luvanga sealed the title for Al Nassr.

In the third-place match, Plumptre and Ordega helped Al Ittihad bounce back from semi-final disappointment. Al Ittihad recovered from two goals down to draw 2–2 with Al Ahli before winning 3–1 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.

In Italy, Shukurat Oladipo started while Rinsola Babajide came off the bench as AS Roma advanced to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a commanding 4–1 away win over Lumezzane. After Giada Burbassi gave the hosts the lead, Roma responded through Marta Pandini, Manuela Giugliano, and a brace from Evelyne Viens. Roma will face city rivals Lazio over two legs later in January.

In Turkey, Flourish Sabastine featured from the start as Fenerbahçe tightened their grip on top spot in the Women’s Super League with a 3–0 win over Giresun. Ece Türkoğlu, María Paula Salas, and İpek Kaya found the net.

Elsewhere, Oluwatosin Demehin’s Galatasaray fell 1–0 to Chioma Olise’s Trabzonspor, with Natalia Oleszkiewicz scoring the decisive goal. Fenerbahçe remain four points clear at the summit, while Galatasaray stay second on goal difference.

In Portugal, Christy Ucheibe anchored the defence as Benfica were held to a 1–1 draw by Sporting CP in the Liga BPI. Nycole Raysla opened the scoring for Benfica before Telma Encarnação equalised from the penalty spot late on. Benfica remain unbeaten and top of the table, five points clear of their rivals.

In France, Jennifer Echegini was absent from Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their goalless draw with Paris FC, while Rasheedat Ajibade continues her recovery from injury and remains sidelined.

Overall, it was a weekend that underlined the growing influence and consistency of Nigerian players across the global women’s game.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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