Dutch-born defender, Osaze Urhoghide, has been announced FC Dallas Defender of the Year.

The defender, was said to have played a pivotal role for Major League Soccer (MLS), gaint, earning him player of the week on the last day of the season alongside Leo Messi who plays for Inter Miami.

Osaze got a decisive goal in the second of the season, which placed his team in the playoffs, before losing to German Thomas Mulier team FC Vancouver.
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The Dutch-born defender, with parents from Edo State, has finally found stability with FC Dallas after a turbulent start to his career, which saw him play for several clubs in Europe, including Celtic in Scotland, Ostende in Belgium, and Amiens in France.

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This season, he played 31 matches and scored two goals, helping FC Dallas achieve success.
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‎His impressive performances have earned him the Player of the Year award and recognition as the best defender for his club in the league.
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‎”Winning the Defender of the Season award is a great honor, but it’s not just about individual accolades,” Osaze said. “It’s about the team, and I’m proud to have been part of a successful season with FC Dallas. I’m looking forward to bringing that success next season or at the international level if invited.

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‎When asked about his plans for the off-season, Osaze revealed that he intends to help Nigerians and engage in charity work.

“I want to give back to the community and inspire young Nigerian kids to pursue their dreams. Football is a powerful tool for social change, and I want to be part of it.”
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Some football analysts of the opinion that ‎Osazee’s call-up to the Super Eagles would be a refreshing and significant boost to the team’s chances in the Nations Cup.

The believed with his experience, skill, and determination, he would be a valuable addition to the squad.

Nigeria’s football coach has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of practising “voodoo” after his squad’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended in a penalty shootout loss.

DR Congo and Nigeria drew 1-1 after extra time in the African play-offs final in Rabat on Sunday and the central Africans won 4-3 on penalties to book a place in inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico next March.

In his post-match remarks to journalists, coach Eric Chelle said a member of the DR Congo team “did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time”.

“That is why I was a bit nervous,” said former Mali international Chelle, who boasts four wins and two draws in competitive matches since taking charge of the Super Eagles.

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Chelle had admitted prior to the match that it was going to “be very difficult in Morocco”.

Using hand gestures, he said he saw a DR Congo member waving his hand as if sprinkling or shaking something. “I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”

In a nervy shootout in which four spot-kicks were saved and another missed, DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba defied a bottle thrown toward him and torrential rain to convert the winning penalty as his country seek a return to the global showpiece after a lengthy absence.

Nigeria, an African football giant, lie 19 places above DR Congo in the world rankings and were pre-match favourites.

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The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the second World Cup in a row. They had not missed back-to-back editions since their debut in 1994.

While Nigeria have been regular participants at the World Cup, the sole appearance by the Congolese came in 1974 when the mineral-rich central African country was called Zaire.

Frank Onyeka opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 3rd minute before Mechak Elia equalised in the 32nd minute for the Leopards.

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Nigeria and the DRC created scoring chances, with Tolu Arokodare’s header for Nigeria and Nwabali making a crucial save from the Leopards free kick.

Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon had missed their chances early in the match and Nwabali was at his best when he denied the leoprads their two penalty kicks.

Nwabali’s two saves in the shootout was not enough to cancel out misses from Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi.

Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty kick to send the Leopards into the intercontinental playoffs for the World Cup.

Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup after they lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

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The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.