Seven Nigerian players will be taking part in the first league-phase fixtures of the UEFA Champions League which will commence later today, September 17.
Note that from the 2024-2025 season, the UEFA Champions League will be executed using a new format that will see 36 teams competing in a league phase instead of groups. In this historic competition, Nigerian players will be ably represented.
Let’s take a look at some of the Nigerian players that will feature in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League and their upcoming matches.
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze is one of the Nigerian players who is expected to shine in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League. He and his AC Milan teammates will face Liverpool in the league phase opener at 8 p.m. today, September 17.
Chukwueze has made 13 appearances in the Champions League, scoring four goals. He will be aiming for his fifth goal in the competition and his third on the bounce.
Raphael Onyedika
Raphael Onyedika is another Nigerian player who will be featuring in the UEFA Champions League this season. He is a key player for Club Brugge.
Onyedika will be making his eighth UCL appearance against Borussia Dortmund at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. Note that he operates as a defensive midfielder for his team.
Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella
Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella are Nigerian players expected to shine for Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League campaign this season.
They are expected to feature for the German Bundesliga reigning champions when they face Feyenoord in their debut Champions League match at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 19.
Peter Olayinka
Peter Olayinka, who plays for Red Star Belgrade, will be looking to score his first Champions League goal when his team hosts Benfica at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 19. He has made 11 UCL appearances in the competition.
Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman, the star of last season’s UEFA Europa League, will be playing for Atalanta against Arsenal in the Champions League at 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 19.
Lookman has made just one appearance in the Champions League and will be aiming to score his first goal in the competition to maintain his status as one of the biggest Nigerian players in Europe currently.
Zachary Athekame
Zachary Athekame is another Nigerian player who is expected to shine for his club in this season’s Champions League campaign. The 19-year-old right-back, who was born in Switzerland to Nigerian parents, is one of the fast-rising youngsters at the Swiss side Young Boys.
He is expected to be in action when Young Boys take on Aston Villa at 5:45 p.m. later today, September 17.