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The UEFA Champions League returns with Nigerian stars ready to shine on Europe’s biggest club football stage.
Top clubs like AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Club Brugge will rely on players like Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, and Raphael Onyedika respectively to help them win the Champions League title.
These Nigerian talents will have the spotlight on them as they aim to inspire and lead their teams to glory. In no particular order, here are seven Nigerian players you should watch during the 2024-25 Champions League campaign.
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7. Victor Olatunji (Sparta Prague)
Sparta Prague forward Victor Olatunji will feature in this season’s UEFA Champions League which kicks off today.
The Nigerian player has played seven games so far in the Czech First League this season and scored two goals.
Born in Sokoto in 1999, the 25-year-old is a lanky and dependable striker who is among the attacking options for manager Lars Friis.
Olatunji will be a key part of the Sparta team in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season.
6. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Super Eagles striker has been in superlative form for Bayer Leverkusen. His most recent outing was his man-of-the-match performance against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga over the weekend.
He scored a brace courtesy of two delicious goals and also provided an assist in Leverkusen’s 4-1 victory against their hosts.
Last season, he was a key figure in Leverkusen‘s unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title. He also helped the team win the DFB-Pokal. Although they lost the final of the UEFA Europa League to Atalanta, his achievements with Bayer Leverkusen will forever remain a historic and celebrated one.
This season’s Champions League campaign for Bayer Leverkusen will hopefully be adventurous enough with Boniface a key player to watch.
5. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
He played his role in Bayer Leverkusen‘s impressive outing last season and etched his name in the country’s history books forever with the unprecedented titles won.
Tella is also a Super Eagles player who will be featuring for Leverkusen this season (barring any unforeseen circumstances). The 25-year-old midfielder was born in Stevenage, United Kingdom.
4. Peter Olayinka (Crvena zvezda)
Being a popular name amongst football followers in Nigeria, Olayinka plies his trade with Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade.
He has netted twice in four league outings so far this term and he continues to prove how important he is to the team.
Olayinka, who previously played for Slavia Prague, was once approached by the Albanian FA who made several attempts of making Olayinka the first African player to play for the Albanian national team. However, the 28-year-old experienced striker chose Nigeria and has since appeared in the green and white jersey four times.
Crvena zvezda will have to hope he remains in top form and free from any injuries if they are to go far in the campaign’s Champions League.
3. Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
The dazzling winger needs no introduction to Super Eagles fans. The 2015 U17 World Cup winner made over 150 appearances for Villarreal between 2018 and 2023 before joining AC Milan.
His tricky and direct play will be much needed by Milan as they begin their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign this week.
2. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Onyedika enjoyed a fascinating and successful 2023-24 season with Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge. His midfield presence hasn’t limited his attacking prowess as he poses to be a big threat going forward.
The former Midtjylland man is not new to the Champions League and his experience will be vital for Club Brugge in Europe’s premier club competition this season.
1. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
The 26-year-old former RB Leipzig and Everton forward is a top contender for this year’s Africa Player of the Year award. This is thanks to his remarkable achievements with both club and country in 2024.
In February, he was Nigeria’s top scorer as the Super Eagles reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Months later, he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final as Atalanta handed Bayer Leverkusen their first loss of the entire season with the Italians recording a 3-0 victory.
He was in action when Atalanta lost to a Kylian Mbappé-inspired Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup.
Lookman has broken many records this year and no one comes close to him in the race for this year’s CAF top individual honour.
Tags: Peter Olayinka, Victor Olatunji, Samuel Chukwueze, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcsports, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcnews, #ChampionsLeague, #UCL, #Atalanta, #ATAARS, #SoarSuperEagles, Super Eagles.
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