The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will bring in a new setup adding more teams to make 36 in total. Each team will play against eight different teams, with four games at home and four away. In the past three Nigerian players have won the big Champions League trophy: Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu with Ajax in 1995, and John Obi Mikel with Chelsea in 2012. This year, five Super Eagles stars are sure to play, and more might join as seven spots are still up for grabs through qualifiers.
Nigerian Players in the UEFA Champions League
- Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface plans to show off his skills in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old forward played a key role in helping Leverkusen win an impressive German treble last season. He scored important goals in all three competitions, including the first goal in the Super Cup final. Even though English clubs made him several offers, Boniface decided to stay at the BayArena. There, he hopes to make a big difference in European soccer.
- Nathan Tella
Nathan Tella, another Nigerian player who had a great season with Bayer Leverkusen, will also play in the Champions League. Though Tella mainly came off the bench, he played in over 20 games for the team and won a Bundesliga medal. The flexible winger, who has one cap for the Super Eagles after choosing to play for Nigeria, will try to make his mark in Europe’s top football competition.
- Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze’s move to AC Milan means he’ll now compete in the Champions League. AC Milan secured their spot in this competition by finishing second in Serie A during Stefano Pioli’s final season as head coach. New coach Paulo Fonseca believes Chukwueze can boost the team’s attack. The Nigerian winger’s speed and ability to dribble past defenders should help Milan in their quest for European success.
- Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman’s future at Atalanta is up in the air as Paris Saint-Germain shows interest, but whether he stays or goes, the winger will play in the Champions League. Lookman played a key role in helping Atalanta qualify for the tournament through their strong league finish, and they also won the UEFA Europa League last season. Lookman’s skill in attack will be a big plus as he aims to make his mark on Europe’s biggest stage.
- Raphael Onyedika
Raphael Onyedika is set to play for Club Brugge in the Champions League after helping the Belgian champs qualify. The 23-year-old midfielder played well last season appearing in 21 games to support Brugge’s winning run. Onyedika has already taken part in all three of Brugge’s Jupiler League matches this season showing how key he is to the team as they get ready for the tough Champions League games.
With these five Super Eagles stars set to play, the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League looks like an exciting stage for Nigerian talent to shine. As the tournament moves forward, fans will watch to see if more Nigerian players make it to the top level, as the last qualifiers play out.
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