Janet Akekoromowei joins Benfica after Barcelona breakdown and passport row

Nigerian forward Janet Akekoromowei has signed a long-term contract with Portuguese champions SL Benfica Feminino until 2028, completing a move that follows an aborted switch to Barcelona and a passport dispute that drew widespread attention earlier this year.

The teenager, who arrives from Nigeria Women Football League side Bayelsa Queens, will now have the chance to feature in both the Campeonato Nacional Feminino and the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Benfica.

Sources close to the deal indicate the transfer fee, which has not been made public by Benfica, is in the tens of thousands of euros and includes a sell‐on clause – a standard mechanism for Nigerian clubs, which often depend on transfer and resale income as a key source of funding.

Barcelona move stalled by injury

Akekoromowei’s route to Lisbon was shaped by interest from Barcelona Femeni, who, according to those familiar with negotiations, made the first serious push to take her to Europe.

Talks with the Spanish club are understood to have reached an advanced stage, with one source describing Barcelona as “leading the conversation” and suggesting that only a passport stamp stood between the striker and a move to Spain.

Earlier reports had already placed Akekoromowei on Barcelona’s radar ahead of planned trials in Spain. However, those plans were disrupted when she suffered an injury playing for Nigeria in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Senegal, ruling her out of travelling to Barcelona.

Following the injury, Barcelona withdrew from discussions and Benfica – who had also shown prior interest and were aware that negotiations involving the Spanish club had been in progress – stepped up to secure an agreement.

Benfica’s medical call and fitness status

Before committing to the transfer, Benfica requested Akekoromowei’s MRI scans in order to decide between surgery and a rehabilitation programme.

The Portuguese champions opted against an operation, instead placing her on a rehab plan overseen by the club. She has since been based in Lisbon and is thought to be at around 70% of full fitness as she continues her recovery under Benfica’s supervision.

That recovery timeline aligns with the February reports that she had been unable to depart for Spain because of the injury sustained in Nigeria’s win over Senegal.

Passport controversy clarified

The same period saw controversy in Nigeria after reports claimed officials at the Nigeria Football Federation had withheld Akekoromowei’s passport before the Senegal qualifier, prompting accusations that the federation had obstructed her move to Europe.

Individuals with knowledge of the situation say that characterisation is misleading. They maintain that there was an agreed plan in place: Akekoromowei would play in the World Cup qualifier, then her passport would be processed and she would travel to Spain for the Barcelona opportunity.

The federation and coaching staff are understood to have wanted to ensure the availability of a key player for the crucial match rather than prevent her transfer. The arrangement ultimately fell apart only because of the injury she sustained during the Senegal fixture, which halted the proposed move to Barcelona altogether.

Victor Osimhen’s role in support, not rehab

There has also been clarification regarding the involvement of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen during Akekoromowei’s lay-off.

Osimhen did send her money after learning of her injury, via a mutual contact, and this has previously been portrayed as covering the cost of her rehabilitation. However, sources say that depiction is inaccurate.

The financial gesture is described instead as general personal support at a difficult time, with Benfica understood to have borne full responsibility for Akekoromowei’s medical treatment and rehabilitation, and no outside party contributing to those specific costs.

Rise from Nigerian roots to European stage

Akekoromowei completed her move to Benfica this week after starring for Bayelsa Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League, where she was named the league’s Most Valuable Player last season.

She has already broken into the international scene, representing Nigeria at both under‐20 and senior level. Her appearances include participation at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

The striker is the youngest of 11 children in a family headed by a retired police officer. Originally from Ese-Odo in Ondo State, she grew up in Lagos and developed her game at the Asisat Oshoala Academy.

Her progression from those beginnings to earning a long-term contract with the reigning Portuguese champions has become one of the standout stories in Nigerian women’s football this year, and her move to Lisbon marks the latest step in a career that only narrowly avoided being derailed over the past 18 months.