FULL LIST: 25 Nigerian stars gear up as UCL, Europa League kick off
Victor Osimhen headlines a list of 25 Nigerian players set to light up Europe for their clubs in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) and Europa League (UEL), the two flagship tournaments in continental football.
The group stages of both competitions begin this week as Nigerians get the opportunity of following both established Super Eagles players, and upcoming players of Nigerian heritage plying their trade in Europe.
Osimhen led Italian Serie A champions Napoli to the quarter-finals of the UCL last season before injury robbed him of moving the club even further in the competition.
However, the Ballon d’Or nominee scored five goals, with four of the goals coming in the knockout rounds.
The 24-year-old will face 14-time winners Real Madrid — reportedly one of his summer suitors — and another goalscoring performance could sway more heads for the £100 million-tagged striker’s signature.
Zaidu Sanusi, a fullback, is another player who has featured in the UCL for Porto since joining the Portuguese club in 2020.
The 26-year-old has played twice this season and barring injury, will remain an important player in the UCL for Porto.
Notable mentions include Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, and Peter Olayinka, who will look to impress at their new clubs AC Milan, Real Sociedad, and Red Star Belgrade respectively.
Also, the trio of Chidera Ejuke, Alhassan Yusuf, and George Ilenikhena will look to feature for Royal Antwerp, the Belgian champions, in their first-ever UCL appearance.
In the same vein, Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman lead a 17-man contingent in the Europa League, playing for Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta respectively.
The UEL will feature several unknown Nigerians and those who can be naturalized to become future Super Eagles.
Igoh Ogbu, Ubong Ekpai, and Mohamed Tijani will represent Slavia Prague, while another trio of Peter Ademo, Daniel Ankeye, and Rasheed Akanbi will represent Romanian side Sheriff Tiraspol.
Mikel Obi was the last Nigerian to win the UCL, while Chukwueze won the UEL at Villarreal in 2021.
Nigerians in UCL
1. Victor Osimhen — Napoli
2. Sadiq Umar — Real Sociedad
3. Samuel Chukwueze –AC Milan
4. Peter Olayinka — Red Star Belgrade
5. Zaidu Sanusi — Porto
6. Alhassan Yusuf — Royal Antwerp
7. Chidera Ejuke — Royal Antwerp
8. George Ilenikhena — Royal Antwerp
Nigerians in UEL
1. Victor Boniface — Bayer Leverkusen
2. Ademola Lookman — Atalanta
3. Chuba Akpom (British-Nigerian) — Ajax
4. Lyon Balogun — Rangers
5. Cyril Dessers — Rangers
6. Igoh Ogbu — Slavia Prague
7. Mohamed Tijani — Slavia Prague
8. Ubong Ekpai — Slavia Prague
9. Moses Usor — LASK LINZ
10. Peter Ademo — FC Sheriff Tiraspol
11. Daniel Ankeye — FC Sheriff Tiraspol
12. Rasheed Akanbi — FC Sheriff Tiraspol
13. Matthew Sorinola (England-Naija) — Union St. Gilloise
14. Noah Atubolu (Germany-Naija) — Freiburg
15. Victor Olatunji — Sparta Prague
16. Ezekiel Henty — AEL Limassol
17. Franklin Tebo Uchenna — BK Hacken
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