African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 FIFA WorldCup 2026.

[SatoPrincess]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

[Italian Panic]

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

Onyedika is a brilliant player and has more than proved his worth in Belgium, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say he will win the Ballon d’Or, but he will certainly be in contention for the African Player of the Year award. I see him at Eintracht Frankfurt because it’s the right environment for him to develop, although he willll need to move quickly to a top club as he’s already 25 and the years are flying by. Good luck to the lad, he deserves it.

[Cryptoprincess101]

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

Point of correction; it wasn't Napoli that block his offer by the Saudi club, it was Osimhen himself who rejected a €30 million per-season contract offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. He was expecting an offer from Chelsea but since they were not serious about the contract, he had no choice than to remain in Galatasaray. I agree that most Nigerian players are after making money from football instead of winning titles and prestigious awards but in the case of Osimhen, i take an exception for him because dude wants to win titles and personal awards just that he hasn't really bagged a contract in any of the top teams in Europe.
     For Raphael Onyedika, he is not much of an important player because his statistics at Club Brugge sucks so going to the Saudi League will be like an achievement for him since he will earn higher even if he doesn't contribute much to the success of the team.

[Audrey Simmons]

Onyedika is a brilliant player and has more than proved his worth in Belgium, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say he will win the Ballon d’Or, but he will certainly be in contention for the African Player of the Year award. I see him at Eintracht Frankfurt because it’s the right environment for him to develop, although he willll need to move quickly to a top club as he’s already 25 and the years are flying by. Good luck to the lad, he deserves it.

You misread SatoPrincess comment, she never said Onyedika is capable of winning the Ballon d'Or. The chance of him topping the Ballon d'Or ranking is kind of a bold claim, which is somehow unrealistic. Africans are not given relevance once they approach 30 years of age, he does not need a second thought about accepting any Saudi offer he gets, some players don't get to choose, as Saudi teams do not take interest in them.

Al-Ittihad Club is the one going for him, finishing in 5th place last season. It is a good move for the player. Saudi Arabian clubs, as usual, approach with a lucrative deal, while Eintracht Frankfurt are still pricing lower than what Brugge placed on the player. Frankfurt are also in no way capable of defeating Bayern for the league title, he has nothing to lose if he moves to Saudi.

[Hewlet]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

It's funny to see some fans thinking that players are just looking for a team that's popular and that have a lesser pay. The times have long gone when players played only for the love of the game and to seek mere popularity even clubs first considers the financial implication of keeping on to a player before prolonging Thier. No matter how much of a good player that you are, if you floop and don't do well, they will present to you a fast exit out of Thier club.

Onyedika is not a bad player neither is he a good player that can be considered performing too exceptionally well to winning massive titles at the bundesliga. Go play at the bundesliga and if you're able to play well at the national team, you have the chance of winning major leagues like the afcon and world if Nigeria qualify. Money is an important factor when considering a change of club.

[Decimetre]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

It's funny to see some fans thinking that players are just looking for a team that's popular and that have a lesser pay. The times have long gone when players played only for the love of the game and to seek mere popularity even clubs first considers the financial implication of keeping on to a player before prolonging Thier. No matter how much of a good player that you are, if you floop and don't do well, they will present to you a fast exit out of Thier club.

Onyedika is not a bad player neither is he a good player that can be considered performing too exceptionally well to winning massive titles at the bundesliga. Go play at the bundesliga and if you're able to play well at the national team, you have the chance of winning major leagues like the afcon and world if Nigeria qualify. Money is an important factor when considering a change of club.

It is true that money is a big factor influencing many players decision in Africa but there are still players who play for passion but also try to maximise their achievements from the game. I will say that it is the average players who already understood that playing for a big team will not give them a good playing time and still won't pay them the money they would want, so why sign for a big team just for the name while you still spend the entire season on the bench or get loaned out. Going for the money in lower leagues also give them higher chances of making it to the first team, the lower the league, the higher chances an average player gets a playing time.

Take a look at Paul Onuachu who plays for Trabzospor, he is worshipped in the team and he is performing real good. If he decides finding his way to top teams in premier league or laliga, he would become a bench player. So players also consider where they will receive a good playing time and in most cases, it coincides with a league that will also pay them the money they're also looking for. Again, in china Ighalo was worshipped and scored many goals and ruling the team starting almost every game. Even at his level then, his loan to Manchester united didn't give him much playing time as he was always coming from the bench. Even though it was a life experience for him, but he was valued better in yatai where he was also making his money.

[Adbitco]

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer.

Actually, it was Osimhen who rejected the offer of going to the Saudi Pro league due to reasons.best known to him, anything anyone is saying is the reason as to why he rejected the offer is mere speculation as the player himself didn't give reasons for his refusal. And I respect that, after all his the one that was approached. Yeah, I agree with that it's not all players that are after the money, some still want fame and even the chance to play in the biggest league if any club from there comes knocking. Others wants where they will be accepted and loved, that too could be another reason why some players reject big money moves.

[snipie]

Yeah, I agree with that it's not all players that are after the money, some still want fame and even the chance to play in the biggest league if any club from there comes knocking. Others wants where they will be accepted and loved, that too could be another reason why some players reject big money moves.

You just explained the reason behind the decision of Osimhen why he wouldn't move to Saudi Pro League right now. He is still very active and staying in Europe will give him the privilege of playing in UEFA Champions League especially with a team like Galatasaray.
I suppose after few years, whether he will move to another top team in Spain or England or he will target a Saudi club to retire with there. The possibility to move to MLS is still available in the future.

[Different patterns]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

I saw the links, Eintracht Frankfurt is interested in signing Raphael Onyedika, is a bigger club compared to Club Brugge, Moving to Eintracht Frankfurt would be a very good move for his career, if he successfully moves to the Bundesliga that would be a very good move for him, considering that he is going to have a regular game time, I don’t really think it’s about moving to a particular club, but it’s about getting playing time, and also fitting into the plans of the club.

Looking at his age, which he is just 25 years old, I don’t think moving to the Saudi Pro League would be a good move for him, the Saudi Pro League is only attractive for money, I don’t see the League as attractive as the Bundesliga, He should be more interested in signing for Eintracht Frankfurt.

One of the things that ruin the careers of players is that they sometimes prefer money over their careers, But football is so interesting that even if you end up in one of the worst leagues in football and you are able to fit in the plans and projects of the team and you are able to do well for the team. You will be shocked that attention will now be shifting to that league and before the player knows it, he is already making a name for himself and bigger clubs will begin to value him and want him in their project. So the problem to me, is not the club but if the player fit in the project of the team because it's the player that fits into the team's project that will have more playing time.

[Iamgoat]

Onyedika is not a bad player neither is he a good player that can be considered performing too exceptionally well to winning massive titles at the bundesliga. Go play at the bundesliga and if you're able to play well at the national team, you have the chance of winning major leagues like the afcon and world if Nigeria qualify. Money is an important factor when considering a change of club.

Onyedika is a good player but cannot be regarded as an exceptional player and I noticed he is a guy who performs well when he has a good squad to support. We have many of those players like him who are not outstandingly talented but highly contributory in a team play. I see Onyedika in such light. In the AFCON 2025 he was named best 11 during the group stage and later as the tournament best 11 after he has shown consistency in his strong displays and performances and for the club side, he is also seen as one of the most best defensive midfielders in Belgium, all of these feats at the age of 25 years old. If he continues this way and have a bigger platform I think the guy will perform even better being a team player ability he has shown.

[Nightwatchmare]

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

Because of the crazy money Saudi clubs has been offering to players after Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr, i agree Raphael Onyedika would chase the bag rather than moving to Frankfurt to play for fame. If i were Raphael Onyedika, i will not think about between moving to Saudi league and Bundesliga league which one to consider, i will tell my agent to make the offer coming from Saudi league happen since i will be paid good amount of money. We have plenty of super eagles players who rejected a move to Saudi league and decided to play in Euro leagues for career and fame, so it is not a super eagles thing, to play for money before career.

[Ishicryptic]

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer.

Actually, it was Osimhen who rejected the offer of going to the Saudi Pro league due to reasons.best known to him, anything anyone is saying is the reason as to why he rejected the offer is mere speculation as the player himself didn't give reasons for his refusal. And I respect that, after all his the one that was approached. Yeah, I agree with that it's not all players that are after the money, some still want fame and even the chance to play in the biggest league if any club from there comes knocking. Others wants where they will be accepted and loved, that too could be another reason why some players reject big money moves.

A world class player who is very sure of himself that he is still relevant to play in top European leagues wouldn't be in a hurry to go to big money Leagues that are not in Europe, if they do it would be perceived that they are no longer relevant to be called by too European clubs. I guess that Osimhen, believes in himself that he has the potentials to play in top European leagues before considering the option of going to a club in Saudi Arabian league, to perhaps finish the remaining of his career there. I don't think that top players are in a hurry to go to the Saudi, league, they might fear that it would be difficult to return to European league because that is where they play the highest level of football. If a very good player finds out that he cannot cope in top European leagues it is better to play for the money and go to a club that will pay for their comfortable retirement.

[igebotz]

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

Ballon d'Or is the least reasons why players choose to stay in top leagues in Europa

If other players think this way everyone would be in Saudi - the excuse of them coming from a poor background and doing everything for money is old excuse because we have other West African players from poor background making a better career choice than our players.

Some may not know this but our players making wrong career choices for money is the reason we missed out on two consecutive WC and it's only going to get worse.

Our most in form player AKOR just made another stupid career choice; moving from Seville to a newly promoted club in Italy.

[Roseline492]

It's funny to see some fans thinking that players are just looking for a team that's popular and that have a lesser pay. The times have long gone when players played only for the love of the game and to seek mere popularity

Onyedika is not a bad player neither is he a good player that can be considered performing too exceptionally well to winning massive titles at the bundesliga.

Of a truth Players need money but actually is not all the players that chase the club that would pay them higher, for long now Saudi Arabia has been the highest place for a nice signing offers so if actually you are right about how all the players wants to be were they would earn more higher, a lot of them would have already been in Saudi Arabia for long. Onyedika will not choose Saudi Arabia because he believes that his experience in Bundesliga is worth more than the amount Saudi Arabia would signed him. Though you are right Onyedika may not win any trophy but however my joy in Onyedika going to Bundesliga is not because of the trophy he could win but the boost he would give himself and the club.

[PremiumcryptoHub]

Because of the crazy money Saudi clubs has been offering to players after Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr, i agree Raphael Onyedika would chase the bag rather than moving to Frankfurt to play for fame. If i were Raphael Onyedika, i will not think about between moving to Saudi league and Bundesliga league which one to consider, i will tell my agent to make the offer coming from Saudi league happen since i will be paid good amount of money. We have plenty of super eagles players who rejected a move to Saudi league and decided to play in Euro leagues for career and fame, so it is not a super eagles thing, to play for money before career.

Actually most of the older players are joining the Saudi league because it seems to me that players who are not able to compete properly in the European leagues are willing to join the SPL, but there are also some young and promising players who are joining various clubs in the Saudi league these days for money. At this stage, we have noticed that Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika may join the club in Frankfurt, in fact, this German league club has chosen this Nigerian player to strengthen their midfield. If this player joins the German league instead of joining the SPL, then we think that he will be able to gain more experience there because there are high-quality clubs with whom this player will be able to compete.

Kicker reports that Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika is en route to Frankfurt. The 26-times-capped international will join Eintracht Frankfurt after Club Brugge accepted the Bundesliga outfit’s latest tender yesterday. It remains unclear at this point just how much Eintracht paid to secure the services of the 25-year-old. The Belgian side initially valued the player at around €10m despite his contract entering its final year, but have potentially opted to sell him below market value. Kicker notes that Onyedika shall serve as the ideal candidate to work alongside fellow new signing Noël Aséko in midfield. The team requires more stability in defense.

[Merit.s]

It's funny to see some fans thinking that players are just looking for a team that's popular and that have a lesser pay. The times have long gone when players played only for the love of the game and to seek mere popularity

Onyedika is not a bad player neither is he a good player that can be considered performing too exceptionally well to winning massive titles at the bundesliga.

Of a truth Players need money but actually is not all the players that chase the club that would pay them higher, for long now Saudi Arabia has been the highest place for a nice signing offers so if actually you are right about how all the players wants to be were they would earn more higher, a lot of them would have already been in Saudi Arabia for long. Onyedika will not choose Saudi Arabia because he believes that his experience in Bundesliga is worth more than the amount Saudi Arabia would signed him. Though you are right Onyedika may not win any trophy but however my joy in Onyedika going to Bundesliga is not because of the trophy he could win but the boost he would give himself and the club.

I do respect people decision on when it comes to their private life. If Onyedika did not go to SPL, he has his own reasons for that. I believe most players go to a club they love so that, they can have the passion to play and improve themselves.

Bundesliga is a good league and seeing him in such league means that he knows what he wants. I hope he improves himself and get signed by a bigger club.

[Ronsbit]

It’s all about the money. Even the best player in Nigeria currently Victor Osimhen would have been in the Saudi Pro League if Napoli had not declined their offer. Raphael Onyedika isn’t going to win the Ballon d’Or or some prestigious award in his career so why wouldn’t he pick Saudi over Bundelsliga.

Of a truth it is all about the money even the world best performing players are currently at Saudi league they too have a taste for the money and they went there. What is the point when you know you are not even near any award but you are a good footballer and you have opportunity of a mouth watering offer in any of the Saudi clubs and where you are,  you don't get to feature in a full time match but you have the opportunity in the Saudi league plus the offer you got why wouldn't you go there. I see nothing wrong playing in the Saudi league after all the Saudi Arabia league also have their awards for their players just like every other leagues so what's the difference and big deal there?

[Fiatless]

Ballon d'Or is the least reasons why players choose to stay in top leagues in Europa

If other players think this way everyone would be in Saudi - the excuse of them coming from a poor background and doing everything for money is old excuse because we have other West African players from poor background making a better career choice than our players.

Some may not know this but our players making wrong career choices for money is the reason we missed out on two consecutive WC and it's only going to get worse.

Our most in form player AKOR just made another stupid career choice; moving from Seville to a newly promoted club in Italy.

Every player has priorities. Some of them put money at the top of their scale of preference. So they would gladly accept any offer that comes from the highest bidder. There are also those whose main goal is to win personal awards. Therefore, they will prefer to play in clubs or leagues that have higher possibilities of players winning prestigious awards like the Ballon d'Or.

Adam Akor's annual income in Servillla was €1.88 million. And his annual earning in Venezia €1.5 million, which is a pay cut when compared to his income in Servillla. According some news outlets, the Spanish club had to sell the Nigerian to balance its financial books. The club-record transfer fee of €16 million would help the club reduce its financial challenge. So it now seems that the Nigerian was forced to leave.

[Agbam]

If you look at the other football branches in our National team like the Super falcons, u-20 and the likes of them, they're performing exceptionally well because of how dedicated they are to the team, but our big boys are acting all high and mighty, being so nonchalant and selfish. That's why I'll always respect Osimhen who always give his best to the team.

Yes the Youth level teams do well and sometimes compete at their best against the European and South American football playing countries. That is because they still have the hunger and the passion to play for the National team and they’re also playing for themselves cause this is where the whole World discovers them.

My issue is that this performance at the Youth level is not sustainable til the Senior level, you loook at teams like Spain who have conquered the world at all levels of football. The playing style is consistent and the management is top notch.

Look at Lamine Yamal, his age an ability when it comes to football, the media claimed is 19 years old and playing with the national team in his country………..

Why do you say “the media claimed he’s 19years?” Like he’s not or what?
There are many evidences to prove that. I don’t think Europeans do lie with age, especially the ones who’s development is being watched.

[EarnOnVictor]

Yeah, I agree with that it's not all players that are after the money, some still want fame and even the chance to play in the biggest league if any club from there comes knocking. Others wants where they will be accepted and loved, that too could be another reason why some players reject big money moves.

You just explained the reason behind the decision of Osimhen why he wouldn't move to Saudi Pro League right now. He is still very active and staying in Europe will give him the privilege of playing in UEFA Champions League especially with a team like Galatasaray.
I suppose after few years, whether he will move to another top team in Spain or England or he will target a Saudi club to retire with there. The possibility to move to MLS is still available in the future.

Victor Osimhen is a baby in the world of football, so let him explore and make that money when he still can. Going to Saudi Professional League would be a miscalculation that he might regret for the rest of his life; money not everything.

Before he should be considering that move, perhaps, he would be in his 35th year, which is still 8 years from now. I'm still not satisfied with the Galatasaray that he is, but it's better than SPL where he would bury is career. I hope he could spend a few more years where he is  and quickly move to either top clubs in EPL, Laliga or PSG in Ligue 1. Since he already experienced Serie A, rotating within the three leagues would be perfect.