Ex-Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi committed a shocking blunder that led to a very unique own goal for Wellington Phoenix in their match against Auckland FC. The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who joined the New Zealand team in 2024, is a product of Spurs' youth system but never made a senior appearance. Since his move to the southern hemisphere, the goalkeeper has been a regular feature for the Kiwi side and was in the starting line-up for their Friday afternoon clash with Auckland FC.
With the score at 0-0, calamity struck as Oluwayemi netted an extraordinary own goal, marking the start of a disastrous afternoon. In the 24th minute, Auckland defender Jake Girdwood-Reich launched the ball upfield to clear his lines. It flew over the Phoenix defence and towards Oluwayemi, who was well outside his box.
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Despite facing no immediate threat, the former Spurs academy player attempted to head the ball away but botched his clearance, heading the ball into his own net from outside the 18-yard box.
Commentators were stunned by the incident, gasping as the ex-Spurs youngster made the mistake, whilst fans and players alike were left bewildered.
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Things took a turn for the worse for the Nix in the New Zealand derby, with Auckland triumphing 5-0 and prompting Wellington head coach Giancarlo Italiano to resign.
Jesse Randal doubled Auckland's advantage on the half-hour mark, adding to Oluwayemi's woes, before collapsing at the end of the second half.
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Guillermo May added a third goal four minutes before the interval, with Randall netting his second during the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
The Nix faced an uphill battle, and Lachlan Brook sealed the victory for the visitors in the 74th minute. Oluwayemi joined Tottenham in 2011 as a 10-year-old and spent nine years in the north London club's youth system.
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He was awarded a professional contract and promoted to the first team in 2020 but failed to make a senior appearance and had a loan spell at Maidenhead United.
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Oluwayemi departed Spurs in 2022 and moved to Portsmouth, enjoying another loan stint in the National League system with Chelmsford City, before exiting Pompey in 2024.