Nigerian Athletes Making Headlines This Week

Nigerians are taking over global sports headlines again: from Victor Osimhen’s fiery moment in Turkey and record-breaking feats in Europe, to William Troost-Ekong’s inspiring charity work and Anthony Joshua’s hint at a blockbuster “Rumble in the Jungle II.”

Let’s catch up on all the trending stories making waves this week.

Victor Osimhen: Clash, Class, and a Champions League Milestone

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is once again the talk of European football, for both his brilliance and his temperament.

During Galatasaray’s clash with Beşiktaş on October 4, Osimhen had a tense altercation with defender Emirhan Topçu. Video footage shows the Nigerian forward grabbing Topçu briefly by the neck after an apparent exchange of words. Both players were shown yellow cards.

Several media outlets reported that the confrontation may have been triggered by a racial slur, although the Turkish Football Federation has not released any formal statement confirming this. For now, Galatasaray officials have refrained from commenting while urging calm among fans.

Despite the heated moment, Osimhen continues to let his boots do the talking.

Just days earlier, he scored a decisive penalty in Galatasaray’s 1–0 Champions League victory over Liverpool on September 30, securing the club’s first home win in the group stage in seven years.

Adding to his growing legacy, SportsRation reports that Osimhen has now become the first Nigerian to score 10 UEFA Champions League goals, a milestone that, if confirmed by official databases, cements his place among Africa’s elite goal scorers.

For Nigerian fans, Osimhen represents more than just goals; he embodies passion, pride, and persistence on football’s biggest stage.

Track Stars Keep the Flag Flying

Nigeria’s athletics contingent is still basking in the glow of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where Tobi Amusan bagged silver in the women’s 100m hurdles. The performance reaffirmed her elite status, coming just months after a turbulent season marked by injury recovery and fitness concerns.

Other Nigerian athletes, including sprinters Okon and Ajayi, reached the semifinals in their respective events, while long jumper Ese Brume narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth. Analysts believe the team’s performance signals renewed depth ahead of the Paris 2026 African Games. 

Beyond Football: Nigerians Giving Back & Taking Big Swings

William Troost-Ekong Launches Youth Foundation

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is channelling his influence into social change. He recently launched the Troost-Ekong Foundation, which supports underprivileged youths through football, education, and community projects.

At the foundation’s unveiling in Akwa Ibom, Troost-Ekong emphasised his commitment to giving back: “Football gave me a platform — now I want to create opportunities for others.”

He also announced a collaboration with England rugby player Maro Itoje to co-host a podcast exploring sports, identity, and social responsibility. 

Anthony Joshua Eyes “Rumble in the Jungle II”

In boxing, Anthony Joshua has fans buzzing with talk of a massive heavyweight showdown in Africa, possibly Nigeria.

Promoters are exploring a “Rumble in the Jungle II” concept, a nod to Muhammad Ali’s iconic 1974 bout in Kinshasa. Joshua is eyeing a 2026 return fight against Martin Bakole, which could bring a global spotlight to African boxing.

Currently recovering from a minor elbow surgery, Joshua says he’s eager to “bring a mega fight home” and reconnect with his roots.

Final Whistle

From Osimhen’s record-breaking feats in Europe to Troost-Ekong’s social impact at home and Joshua’s dream of an African mega-fight, Nigerian athletes continue to prove that excellence runs deep in the green-and-white DNA.

And as Amusan and her peers prepare for the next season, one thing’s clear: Nigeria’s sporting momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.