Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi produced a moment of sheer horror on the pitch, scoring what has been labelled the 'own goal of the year' in a disastrous performance for Wellington Phoenix. The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who came through Spurs' academy, made a catastrophic error during his side's clash with Auckland FC, contributing to a humiliating 5-0 defeat that led to the resignation of Wellington's head coach.
A Nightmare Afternoon for the Ex-Spurs Keeper
Josh Oluwayemi, who signed for the New Zealand outfit in 2024 after a brief stint in Finland, has been a regular starter for Wellington Phoenix. However, his match against Auckland FC on Friday afternoon turned into a personal nightmare. With the score level at 0-0 in the 24th minute, Auckland defender Jake Girdwood-Reich launched a long clearance upfield. The ball sailed over the Phoenix defence and towards Oluwayemi, who was positioned well outside his penalty area.
A Bizarre and Costly Mistake
Despite facing no immediate pressure from opponents, Oluwayemi attempted to head the ball clear. In a moment of misjudgment, he directed his header straight into his own net from outside the 18-yard box. Commentators gasped in disbelief at the incident, while fans and players alike were left bemused by the goalkeeper's extraordinary blunder. Social media quickly erupted, with football enthusiasts dubbing it the 'own goal of the year'—a title that seems fitting given the absurd nature of the error.
Wellington's Collapse and Coaching Fallout
The own goal sparked a collapse for Wellington Phoenix, with Auckland FC capitalising on the momentum to secure a resounding victory. Jesse Randall doubled Auckland's lead just six minutes later, compounding Oluwayemi's misery. Guillermo May added a third goal four minutes before half-time, and Randall scored his second in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Lachlan Brook completed the rout in the 74th minute, sealing a 5-0 win for the visitors.
In the aftermath of the heavy defeat, Wellington head coach Giancarlo Italiano stepped down from his position, highlighting the severe repercussions of the match. The loss not only damaged team morale but also triggered significant changes within the club's leadership structure.
Oluwayemi's Career Trajectory
Josh Oluwayemi joined Tottenham Hotspur's academy as a ten-year-old in 2011, spending nine years in the north London club's youth setup. He was awarded a professional contract and promoted to the first team in 2020 but never made a senior appearance for Spurs. Instead, he had a loan spell with Maidenhead United before leaving Tottenham in 2022 to join Portsmouth.
After another loan spell with Chelmsford City in the National League system, Oluwayemi departed Portsmouth in 2024. He briefly played for Lahti in Finland before making the move to New Zealand, where he has since made 31 appearances for Wellington Phoenix. Despite this rocky patch, his career journey reflects the challenges faced by many academy graduates striving to establish themselves in professional football.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in sport, where a single error can overshadow years of dedication and hard work. For Oluwayemi and Wellington Phoenix, this match will undoubtedly be one they wish to forget as they regroup and look to bounce back from this devastating setback.
