Janet Akekoromowei: Falconets star set for Benfica move after injury heartbreak

Nigeria Under-20 forward Janet Akekoromowei is close to sealing a long-term transfer to Portuguese champions Benfica, in what would be the defining move of her fledgling career after a serious injury nearly derailed her European dream.

The 18-year-old Falconets and Super Falcons attacker had been on the verge of a switch to Spanish giants Barcelona Femeni before suffering a major setback during a 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier earlier this year.

Completesports.com reports that Akekoromowei has now agreed terms with Benfica, one of Europe’s leading women’s clubs, and is expected to complete the formalities of the move in the coming days.

Injury blow that halted Barcelona move

Akekoromowei’s rise appeared to be following a smooth trajectory until February, when she picked up a serious injury while playing for Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team in Abeokuta.

The forward was representing the Falconets in a 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie against Senegal when she was forced off, abruptly interrupting negotiations over a proposed transfer to Barcelona Femeni.

The injury meant the teenager had to put her ambitions of moving overseas on hold and focus instead on a long rehabilitation, with doubts at one point over how quickly she could return to her previous level.

Her situation echoed that of other Nigerian talents whose transfers abroad have collapsed in recent times after medical or fitness concerns, underlining the fine margins young players face when seeking moves to top European clubs.

Breakthrough season with Bayelsa Queens

Any fears about Akekoromowei’s long-term prospects were eased by a standout 2025 domestic campaign.

Leading the line for Bayelsa Queens, she delivered a series of eye-catching displays in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award for her performances.

Her prolific form at club level reinforced her reputation as one of the most dangerous young forwards in Nigerian women’s football, combining pace, finishing and movement in the final third.

That impact at home helped revive interest from European sides, with Benfica now set to secure her signature as they continue to strengthen their squad for domestic and continental competition.

World Cup experience and Super Falcons rise

Akekoromowei has also gained valuable exposure on the international stage.

She was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, featuring in three matches for the Falconets at the global tournament.

Despite her age, the Bayelsa Queens forward has already broken into the Super Falcons set-up and has been capped at senior international level, a significant milestone that underlines her status as one of the country’s brightest attacking prospects.

Those experiences with both the U-20s and the senior national team are expected to ease her adaptation to life at Benfica, where the competition for places is fierce and expectations are high.

Benfica move seen as key step in Europe

A long-term deal with the Portuguese champions would mark a decisive step in Akekoromowei’s quest to establish herself in European football.

Benfica’s women’s team has emerged as a force domestically and is increasingly visible in UEFA competitions, offering the Nigerian forward a platform to showcase her talent against some of the continent’s leading clubs.

For Akekoromowei, the anticipated move represents both a reward for her perseverance after injury and an opportunity to reignite a European journey that was briefly put on hold.

If confirmed, the transfer will complete a remarkable turnaround for a player who only months ago was facing uncertainty over her future, and now stands on the verge of joining one of Europe’s most ambitious women’s sides.