Europe’s major club competitions are reaching their climax, and several African players are on the brink of making history.
African talent is well-represented across all three European finals, with each of the six teams involved featuring players from the continent. Leading the charge are the players at Bayer Leverkusen, who are aiming to secure the second part of an ‘invincible treble’ when they face Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
AAN TV highlights the key contributors who could be adding to their trophy cabinets over the next week and a half.
Leverkusen set a European record with their 51st consecutive unbeaten game against Augsburg on Saturday, where Nigerian, Victor Boniface opened the scoring for the German champions. Boniface, along with his compatriot Nathan Tella, will face fellow Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, who was crucial in helping the Super Eagles finish as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in February 2024.
The final in Dublin will have a strong West African presence, with players from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Mali also taking part. Odilon Kossounou could add the Europa League title to the Nations Cup winners’ medal he earned with the Ivorians. Fellow defender, Edmund Tapsoba and Morocco forward, Amine Adli have also been key players for Leverkusen this season.
For Atalanta, winger, Lookman and Mali striker, El Bilal Toure both scored in the second leg of their semi-final to help their team reach their first European final. Unfortunately, the pair missed out on lifting the Coppa Italia after their loss to Juventus last week.
