[mc4wp_form id=33047]
Action resumes in the Champions League again this week, with five Super Eagles players playing for their respective clubs in the prestigious competition.
The competition enters matchday three with mouthwatering clashes between European giants.
Fresh from the Super Eagles’ impressive performance against Benin Republic to seal a spot in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs round in November, Nigerians are expected to cheer the Super Eagles players, who will be representing their various clubs in the Champions League this week.
Here are the five Nigerian players who will be playing for their clubs in the Champions League this week.
Bruno Onyemaechi: Olympiacos vs Barcelona (Tuesday)
Super Eagles left-back Bruno Onyemaechi will be tasked with the assignment of stopping Barcelona’s new kid on the block, Lamine Yamal, when the Catalans take on Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Barcelona are in 16th place on the Champions League table following a narrow win over Newcastle United and a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Olympiacos are competing in the Champions League main draw for the first time since 2020-21 as a result of last season’s Greek Super League title success.
The Greek side started their campaign with a frustrating goalless draw against Pafos before a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, leaving them in 29th place in the league phase standings.
Onyemaechi is expected to be in action for Olympiakos in the encounter in Spain, slated for 5 pm Nigerian time.
Nathan Tella: Bayer Leverkusen vs PSG, Tuesday.
Nathan Tella will be in action for Bayer Leverkusen against defending champions PSG at the Bay Arena in Germany on Tuesday.
The Germans sit 25th in the League Phase table, settling for a 1-1 draw with PSV the last time around, after a 2-2 draw against Copenhagen, while the reigning champions have a perfect record after two matchdays, coming back to beat Barcelona 2-1 the last time out.
Bayer Leverkusen will try to avoid going winless in their opening three matches in this stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2016, when they drew their opening three games.
Tella has recorded two assists in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season, and he is expected to play a key role against PSG in the encounter.
PSG will be hoping to maintain their perfect start, while Bayer Leverkusen will be eyeing their first win of the season in the competition.
The Les Parisiens have a 100% record all-time against Bayer Leverkusen in this competition, including a convincing 4-0 triumph at BayArena in 2014, their last Champions League clean sheet in the group phase on German soil.
Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray vs Bodø/Glimt (Wednesday)
Super Eagles rave of the moment Victor Osimhen will be hoping to continue his impressive form for Galatasaray in the Champions League following his match-winning performance for Nigeria against the Benin Republic.
Osimhen has enjoyed a glorious time in the Champions League this season, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Liverpool in his only match of the competition so far.
Fresh from scoring a hat-trick against the Benin Republic, Osimhen will be hoping to continue his impressive performances by leading Galatasaray to victory over the lowly Bodo/Glimt.
The 26-year-old has scored three goals in all competitions for Galatasaray this season.
Galatasaray have won just one out of their two matches in the competition. They lost their opening game against Frankfurt before the stunning 1-0 win over Liverpool on matchday two.
They currently occupy the 21st position, while their opponents, Bodo/Glimt, are rooted in 24th after losing their first two matches.
Osimhen is the first Nigerian player to score 10 goals in the history of the competition.
Ademola Lookman: Atalanta vs Slavia Praha (Wednesday)
The reigning African player of the year will be in action for Atalanta against Slavia Praha at the Geiss Stadium in Italy on Wednesday.
Atalanta started their campaign on a disastrous note following a 4-0 defeat to PSG before bouncing back with a 2-1 win over Club Brugge.
Slavia Praha are languishing in the 31st position with one point from two matches; the first match ended 2-2 against Bodo/Glimt before a 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan.
Lookman has endured a disappointing start to the season after his transfer drama with Atalanta in the summer. He has struggled to reach full match fitness and is also waiting for his first goal of the season for the club.
He has made four appearances for the club in all competitions, failing to record a goal or an assist, including for the Super Eagles.
The 28-year-old will be hoping to end his goal drought when Atalanta take on Slavia Praha at home on Wednesday.
Raphael Onyedika: Bayern Munich vs Club Brugge (Wednesday)
Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika is expected to be in action for Club Brugge against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich have won their first two games against Chelsea and Pafos, while Club Brugge won 4-1 against Monaco in their first match before losing to Atalanta.
Onyedika has been a key player for Club Brugge this season, making nine appearances in all competitions for the club.
He scored in the 4-1 win over Monaco, and he will be hoping to add to his tally against the free-scoring Bayern Munich side.
Bayern Munich are currently leading the pack in the Champions League table with six points, scoring eight goals and conceding two.
Club Brugge can boast of three points with five goals while conceding three to sit in the 13th position.
