As excitement builds for the return of Europe’s premier club competition, the UEFA Champions League, more teams than ever will compete for the coveted trophy in the new group stage format.
AAN TV takes a look at seven Nigerian players striving for glory with their respective clubs this season.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Chukwueze is set to feature as AC Milan face Liverpool in their opening league-phase match at San Siro. The former Villarreal man who is in his second season with the Rossoneri has made four appearances this season. He previously made 13 appearances in the Champions League, scoring four goals, including a debut strike for Villarreal against Young Boys in 2021. If selected, Chukwueze will aim for his fifth goal in the competition and his third in a row after finding the net against Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle in his last two games.
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Raphael Onyedika will be in action when Club Brugge hosts last season’s finalists, Borussia Dortmund. Despite almost joining Galatasaray in the summer, Onyedika remains focused on helping Brugge, aiming for his eighth Champions League appearance. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder will play a key role in Brugge’s hopes of advancing in this new league-phase format.
Victor Boniface & Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
Leverkusen returns to the Champions League with Nigerian duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, as they face Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Boniface and Tella will make their competition debuts, looking to build on their stellar 2023/24 campaign when Leverkusen claimed both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal without losing a match.
Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)
With 11 UCL appearances to his name, Peter Olayinka will look to extend that tally when Red Star Belgrade host Benfica. Olayinka, who scored on his debut against Inter Milan in 2019, is aiming to end his five-year goal drought in the competition.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman, who dazzled in last season’s UEFA Europa League, will make his return to the Champions League when Atalanta take on Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium. Lookman, who has made only one appearance in the competition during his time with RB Leipzig, will aim to continue his strong form after scoring and assisting in Atalanta’s recent Serie A victory.
Zachary Athekame (Young Boys)
Young Boys’ 19-year-old right-back, Zachary Athekame, will make his Champions League debut when his side takes on Aston Villa. Born in Switzerland to Nigerian parents, Athekame has made five appearances this season and is poised to make an impact on the big stage.
