By Dayo Awoniyi
Captain of Nasarawa Amazons, Josephine Mathias, is on the verge of completing a move to Israeli top-flight side Bnot Netanya, marking a significant step in her footballing career.
Multiple reports indicate that the influential midfielder has agreed personal terms with the Israeli club, and the deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days. Official confirmation from either club is still pending.
Mathias, who featured prominently in Nasarawa Amazons’ recent President Federation Cup final defeat to Rivers Angels, has long been regarded as one of the standout performers in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
The Amazons fell 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time, in what is likely to be her final appearance for the club.
Known for her composure, vision, and leadership, Mathias has been a key figure for Nasarawa Amazons, serving both as captain and midfield anchor.
Her move to Europe comes after an impressive domestic run and two appearances for the Nigeria women’s national team, despite missing out on the squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
If finalized, the move would see Mathias join Bnot Netanya for the upcoming season, where she is expected to play a pivotal role in the club’s campaign.
The transfer marks a milestone not only in Mathias’ career but also reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian talent in women’s football globally.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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.
