The UEFA Champions League and Europa League began last week Tuesday across Europe and it is accepted that players who have some ‘Nigerian’ blood flowing through their veins will participate in the competitions.
Trust Sports takes a cursory look at the players who play for their various clubs in the leagues.
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Victor Osimhen – Napoli
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen hails from Edo state and grew up in Lagos. He plays as a striker for Serie A club Napoli and the Nigeria national team which he has scored 15 goals in 22 games for. He made his champions league debut in 2019 playing for Lille, scoring 2 goals in 5 games during that campaign. He has made one UCL appearance for Napoli this season.
Calvin Bassey – Ajax
Born to Nigerian parents in Italy and later moved to England where he and his siblings grew up. The versatile defender who can play the left back and centre back positions made a dream move to Ajax in a deal worth £23m. He had an impressive Champions league debut against his former side, Rangers as his team won 4-0.
Raphael Onyedika – Club Brugge
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder hails from Imo state. Onyedika later joined the academy of FC Midtjylland in Denmark, an affiliate club to FC Ebedei. He joined Club Brugge in the summer transfer window.
Antonio Nusa – Club Brugge
The Nigerian-Norwegian forward made history on Tuesday when he further nailed FC Porto’s coffin in a 4-0 drubbing by Club Brugge.
Zaidu Sanusi – Porto
The 25-year-old left back has started most of Porto’s games this season which includes the 4-0 defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday. He made his debut for the Nigerian national team in October 2020 against Algeria.
Fortune Bassey – Vikoria Plzen
Fortune Bassey, 23, hails from Edo state, he’s a poacher who wears the number 90. He’s on loan from Ferencvaros. He has made 2 appearances from the bench this season and has scored 2 goals in 11 appearances.
Carney Chukwuemeka – Chelsea
Carney Chukwuemeka, 18, is bright and explosive young attacking midfielder who plays for Chelsea. Born to Nigerian Parents in Austria. He made the move to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £20m after helping England win the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
Paul Mukairu – FC Copenhagen
The versatile forward, 22, has made 7 appearances for Copenhagen this season but all have come from the bench and is yet to score. He made the move from Antalyaspor this season.
Fikayo Tomori – AC Milan
Born to Nigerian parents, Tomori has played for Chelsea and is currently with Italian giants, AC Milan.
Noah Okafor – RB Salzburg
Born to a Nigerian father, Okafor denied Chelsea of a victory with a late goal on Wednesday at the Stamford Bridge.
Junior Adamu – RB Salzburg
Born in Nigeria but plays for Austria assisted his team mate, Okafor to secure a point against Chelsea.
Worthy mentions
Akinkunmi Amoo – FC Copenhagen
The former Golden Eaglets star is one of the few Nigerian players in this year’s Champions League, but he will not play a single game for the Danish side after picking up an injury.
Samson Tijani – RB Salzburg
Sadly, the former Golden Eaglets star Samson Tijani was ruled out of the season even before it started after suffering a serious injury while featuring in a pre-season friendly.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Bright Osayi-Samuel – Fenerbahce
Bright Osayi-Samuel, 24, was born to Nigerian parents in Anambra State, Nigeria and joined Fenerbahce in 2021 and has 3 goals and 6 assists since then.
Victor Olatunji – Aek Lanarca
He is a 19-year-old striker who plays in Cyprus. He made his Europa League debut against Rennes. He has two goals to his name in 9 appearances this season.
HJK Helsinki – Anthony Olusanya
Born to a Nigerian Father and a Finnish Mother, Anthony, 22, is a forward who can play on the wings and as an attacking midfielder. He came on from the bench to make his Europa league debut in a 0-2 loss to Real Betis.
Victor Boniface – Union Saint-Gilloise
The 21-year-old striker was invited to the Nigeria U20 side in 2019 but pulled out due to injury. He has one goal so far this season for his side
Ibrahim Rasheed Akanbi – FC Sheriff
The Nigerian is playing for the first time in Europe this season and he was on fire against Omonia, as the disguised forward scored one – inside two minutes – and assisted another to set up his two direct goal contributions
Iyayi Atiemwen – FC Sheriff
The 26-year-old winger is a journey man in Europe and has made four appearances for his side this season with a goal. He was on target alongside Rasheed to defeat Francis Uzoho’s team.
Sadiq Umar – Real Sociedad
The Super Eagles forward had his season cut short after picking up an injury during a league game.
Francis Uzoho – Omonoia FC
The Super Eagles goalkeeper is currently not the number one for his side but has appeared 7 times for his side this season
Emmanuel Emegha – Sk Strurm Graz
Born to a Nigerian mother, the 19-year-old forward has played 7 times for his side and has scored 3 goals.
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