Falconets Star Janet Akekoromowei Completes Move to Portuguese Champions Benfica
Nigerian youngster Janet Akekoromowei has taken a major step in her career after completing a move to Portuguese champions Benfica.
The highly-rated Falconets striker signed a two-year contract, with the club holding the option to extend the deal for an additional two years.
Akekoromowei joins Benfica following an impressive spell in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), where she established herself as one of the country's brightest attacking talents.
The 18-year-old most recently featured in the Nigerian top flight and enjoyed a remarkable 2024/25 campaign with Nasarawa Amazons, scoring 13 goals in 19 league appearances.
Her outstanding performances earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the season, underlining her growing reputation as one of the league's standout players.
Before her move abroad, Akekoromowei also represented Bayelsa Queens, further showcasing her talent in the domestic league.
On the international stage, the striker has steadily progressed through Nigeria's national team ranks.
She represented the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia, where she gained valuable experience competing against some of the world's best young players.
Her impressive displays have also earned her senior international recognition, with the teenager already making appearances for the Super Falcons.
The move to Benfica presents Akekoromowei with the opportunity to continue her development in one of Europe's most competitive women's football environments while competing for domestic honours and continental success.
Opinion
Janet Akekoromowei's transfer to Benfica is another encouraging sign of the growing quality of Nigerian women's football. Moving to a club with a strong reputation for developing talent and competing regularly in European competitions provides an ideal platform for her growth. If she adapts quickly to Portuguese football, the teenager could become an important player for both Benfica and the Super Falcons in the years ahead, while inspiring more young Nigerian players to dream of careers at the highest level.
