By Amaechi Agbo
Portuguese champions SL Benfica has unveiled Nigerian U-20 forward Janet Akekoromowei as their new player on three years contract.
Benfica finalized the transfer, securing the highly-rated 18-year-old striker on a long-term contract running through 2029.
Akekoromowei makes the leap to Europe from the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) side Bayelsa Queens. She previously won the NWFL Most Valuable Player award. She was originally set to join Spanish giants Barcelona Femení earlier in the year. The deal collapsed at the final stage after she suffered a serious injury while representing Nigeria during an U-20 World Cup qualifier against Senegal.
A crucial part of the Falconets setup, she featured in three matches at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia and has already earned caps for the senior team, the Super Falcons
The big striker, who has already been capped by the Super Falcons, was due to join Barcelona Femeni before injury on national team duty scuttled the transfer.
Incidentally, she is joining Benfica when Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe has bade farewell to the Portuguese champions.
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