The medical room has often been the unexpected stumbling block for several Nigerian footballers, turning potential dream transfers into bitter disappointments.
While some stars like Nwankwo Kanu bounced back from failed medicals to enjoy glittering careers, others saw their ambitions derailed.
Insight Media Sports Arena looks at some notable cases of Nigerian footballers who failed medicals
Victor Boniface – AC Milan (2025)
Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface looked set for a blockbuster move to AC Milan, but the deal collapsed after concerns emerged during medicals. Reports from BILD suggest the Nigerian underwent four separate tests in Italy before the Rossoneri pulled the plug. Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving his future uncertain and once again highlighting how medicals can make or break transfers.
Nwankwo Kanu – Inter Milan (1996)
Fresh from leading Nigeria to Olympic gold in Atlanta, Kanu completed his move from Ajax to Inter Milan. However, doctors detected a serious heart defect during medicals and advised him to quit football. Inter could have cancelled the deal but instead supported him through surgery and recovery. Kanu eventually returned to action, later joining Arsenal, where he won two Premier League titles and cemented his place as one of Nigeria’s greatest-ever players.
Tijani Babangida – Fenerbahçe (2000)
Ajax winger Tijani Babangida came close to joining Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in 2000, but the move collapsed after he failed stringent medical checks. At the time, Babangida was seeking a fresh start away from Ajax, where playing time had become limited. Instead, he settled for a loan spell at Gençlerbirliği, though the club chose not to make the deal permanent.
Dele Adebola – Las Palmas (2000)
Nigerian-born striker Dele Adebola, then at Birmingham City, was on the verge of a switch to La Liga newcomers Las Palmas. Unfortunately, the move was cancelled after he failed his medical. Left on the transfer list at Birmingham, Adebola fought his way back into the first team, playing a key role in their run to the 2001 League Cup Final.
Seyi Olofinjana – Monaco (2004)
Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana nearly joined Monaco in 2004 but claimed the deal broke down due to a “misunderstanding” after his medicals. The collapse came amid a change in the club’s leadership. Instead, Olofinjana moved to Wolves for £1.7m, a transfer that revived his European career.
David Oniya – Neftchi Fergana (2014)
Defender David Oniya signed for Neftchi Fergana in Uzbekistan but was denied registration after failing his medical. His contract was terminated within months, forcing him to continue his career in Malaysia with T-Team. Tragically, Oniya collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack during a friendly in June 2015 at just 30 years old.
Romanus Orjinta – Zamalek (2007)
Former Enyimba captain Romanus Orjinta came close to joining Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek, but the deal collapsed after health concerns surfaced during medicals. Though he later revived his career with Niger Tornadoes, the failed move marked a major setback. Orjinta tragically passed away in 2014.
These stories by Insight Media correspondence underline the uncertainty of football transfers, where a failed medical can alter a player’s destiny. Some, like Kanu, overcame adversity to achieve greatness, while others never fully recovered from the setback.
This is a testament that in football, a deal isn’t truly done until the contract is signed and the medical is passed.
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