UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Nigerian Players to Watch
The UEFA Champions League is back, igniting excitement among football fans as teams compete for the prestigious title in a revamped format. This season, the tournament expands to feature 36 teams competing in a league phase, with each club playing eight matches against different opponents in a home-and-away setup. The competition kicks off with anticipation surrounding seven Nigerian players representing their clubs in this thrilling new format.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Chukwueze is set to square off against Liverpool in the league phase opener, taking place in the iconic San Siro. Now in his second season with AC Milan, the 25-year-old forward has already made four appearances this season and aims to extend his Champions League goal tally. With four goals in his previous 13 Champions League matches, Chukwueze seeks to add to his record as he competes against Premier League giants Liverpool.
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Onyedika and his Club Brugge teammates prepare to host last season’s runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, at Jan Breydel Stadium. After nearly transferring to Galatasaray this summer, the midfielder is focused on helping Brugge excel in the Champions League, especially as they enter this new league phase. This match will mark Onyedika’s eighth appearance in the prestigious tournament.
Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen returns to the Champions League with a match against Feyenoord, featuring Nigerian talents Boniface and Tella. This marks Leverkusen’s third appearance in the Champions League in eight years, and both players aim to leave a mark in their debut appearance following a historic season where the club won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.
Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)
Olayinka looks to increase his Champions League appearances when Red Star Belgrade takes on Benfica. With 11 appearances already, he searches for his first goal since 2019. After a challenging previous campaign at home, Olayinka hopes to lead his team to a strong start in the group stage this time around.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
After showcasing his skills in last season’s UEFA Europa League, Lookman is ready to make a significant impact in the Champions League as Atalanta faces Arsenal. Known for his standout performance in the Europa League, Lookman aims for his first goal in the Champions League, building on his recent form highlighted by a goal and an assist against Fiorentina.
Zachary Athekame (Young Boys)
The 19-year-old right-back Athekame is set to debut in this year’s Champions League as Young Boys challenge Aston Villa. With five appearances and one assist to his name this season, Athekame is poised to make his mark in what promises to be an exciting match.
