Nigeria: Sweet payback for Malawi as the Flames beat Super Eagles to Babatunde Adepoju

When Babatunde Adepoju was born in Lagos in November 1995, few would have imagined that his international future would lie far away from Nigeria, Afrik-Foot reports.

But football often takes players on unexpected journeys, and Adepoju’s path is a perfect example.

The 30-year-old striker has built his career not in Nigeria, but in Malawi. He first moved there in 2017 and quickly became one of the most feared forwards in the domestic league. Standing tall at 1.92 metres, he combines physical strength with sharp finishing, making him a constant threat in front of goal.

His rise has been steady and impressive. In 2022, Adepoju made history by becoming the first foreign player to win the Golden Boot in Malawi’s top division. In the same season, he was also named Player of the Season, a pointer to just how dominant he had become.

Playing for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, one of the country’s biggest clubs, he has won several trophies, including league titles and domestic cups. By the 2025 season, he was still performing at a high level, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in just 23 matches.

Off the pitch, his ties to Malawi grew stronger. He married a Malawian woman and settled fully into life in the country. After eight years, he made a big decision, to switch his international allegiance from Nigeria to Malawi.

In October 2025, he received his first call-up to the Malawi national team, known as the Flames, and made his debut in a World Cup qualifier. With that appearance, Adepoju became the first Nigerian-born player to represent Malawi at international level.

Adepoju: Malawi payback after Okafor saga

Adepoju’s decision has not only made headlines because of his personal story, but also because of what it represents in the wider football relationship between Nigeria and Malawi.

Many in Malawi see his switch as a form of ‘payback’ after losing Chioma Okafor to Nigeria. Okafor was born in Blantyre, Malawi, to a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother. She had strong ties to both countries and could have chosen either at international level.

In the build-up to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi hoped she would represent them. But Nigeria moved quickly. The Nigeria Football Federation reached out, completed her paperwork, and convinced her to join the Super Falcons.

Her decision proved to be a huge one. Although she struggled with injury during the tournament, she was part of the Nigerian squad that went on to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. That triumph further strengthened Nigeria’s reputation as the dominant force in African women’s football.

For Malawi, losing such a talented forward was a painful moment. Okafor had previously trained with local teams and was seen as a future star for the national side, the Scorchers.

Now, with Adepoju choosing Malawi, there is a sense that the balance has shifted slightly. While the situations are different, the symbolism matters. One country gained a player; the other lost one. And in African football, these decisions often carry emotional weight far beyond the pitch.

Interestingly, Nigeria and Malawi have both qualified for AFCON 2026 later this summer. Should Okafor again make the Super Falcons squad and the two countries meet, the best chapter of this ongoing story may yet be unwritten.

Adepoju: Why Super Eagles will not feel the loss

Despite the headlines, Adepoju’s switch is unlikely to trouble Nigeria too much. The Super Eagles are well stocked in attacking areas, with several high-quality strikers already competing for places.

Leading the line is Victor Osimhen, one of the most dangerous forwards in world football. His pace, movement, and finishing have made him a key player for both club and country.

Alongside him is Paul Onuachu, another tall and powerful striker who offers a different style of play, especially with his strength in the air. There are also Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare, a rising talent who continues to push for a bigger role in the national team.

With such depth, breaking into the Super Eagles squad is extremely difficult. Adepoju, despite his success in Malawi, would have faced a tough challenge to earn regular opportunities at international level with Nigeria.

Adepoju choosing Malawi offers him a chance to play regularly on the international stage and become a key figure for his adopted country. The decision is also a major boost for Malawi, adding an experienced and proven goal scorer to their squad. Adepoju has followed the path that gives him the best chance to play international football, while Malawi gains a player who has already shown he can deliver.

And for Nigeria, with their wealth of attacking talent, this is one departure they can comfortably absorb.