Benfica sign Nigeria teenager Akekoromowei on long-term deal after Barcelona move collapses

Portuguese champions Benfica have signed highly rated Nigerian striker Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei on a long-term contract running until 2028, handing one of Africa’s most promising young forwards a route into the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a serious injury scuppered a proposed move to Barcelona Femeni.

The 19-year-old completed her switch from Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) side Bayelsa Queens after arriving in Lisbon this week to finalise the deal.

Her move is being seen in Nigeria and Portugal as a major step for a player widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in African women’s football.

From Barcelona heartbreak to Benfica breakthrough

Earlier this year, Akekoromowei had been close to sealing a transfer to Spanish giants Barcelona Femeni.

However, that move collapsed when she suffered an injury while on international duty for Nigeria, ending any hope of joining the European champions at that time.

Instead of allowing the setback to derail her progress, the powerful forward recovered and forced her way back into contention for a move to Europe, eventually attracting interest from Benfica, who moved to secure her on a four-year deal.

The signing comes at a moment of transition for the Lisbon club after the departure of Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe, who has been described in Portugal as the greatest Nigerian women’s footballer to have played in the country.

Versatile forward with prolific record in Nigeria

Standing at 1.86m, Akekoromowei is primarily a central striker but is comfortable drifting wide or dropping into the No. 10 role, where she can link play and stretch defences.

She first came to prominence at the Asisat Oshoala Academy, founded by former Barcelona and Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala, before establishing herself at NWFL side Nasarawa Amazons.

Her breakthrough season saw her finish with 13 league goals, the second-highest tally in the Nigerian top flight, and win the NWFL Most Valuable Player award.

Akekoromowei produced her best performances when the stakes were highest, scoring four times in the NWFL Super Six playoffs. That included an equaliser against Bayelsa Queens and a decisive brace in Nasarawa Amazons’ victory over Rivers Angels.

Before reaching senior club level, she had already underlined her eye for goal at the BOWFT pre-season tournament, where she took the Golden Boot with eight goals in four matches for the Asisat Oshoala Academy.

Rising Nigeria international

Akekoromowei’s form at club level propelled her into Nigeria’s national teams.

She first represented the country at youth level with the Falconets before earning call-ups to the senior Super Falcons side, where she has begun to compete for a regular place in attack.

The move to Benfica is expected to accelerate her development, offering exposure to European club football in both the Campeonato Nacional Feminino and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Intense competition for attacking places at Benfica

Akekoromowei’s immediate challenge in Portugal will be breaking into head coach Ivan Baptista’s starting XI.

Benfica are regarded as having the strongest attacking unit in Portuguese women’s football, with a frontline stacked with experienced internationals.

Spanish forward Cristina Martin-Prieto, Brazilian attacker Nycole Raysla, Canadian forward Chandra Davidson and Denmark international Caroline Møller currently lead the competition for places in attack.

They are joined by Portugal internationals Diana Silva and teenage prospect Lara Martins, further underlining the scale of the task facing the Nigerian newcomer.

Akekoromowei will hope her physical presence, versatility across the front line and proven scoring record in Nigeria can help her carve out a role in one of Europe’s most competitive attacking set-ups as she begins life in Lisbon.