Osimhen, Yusuf, Chukwueze; Nigerians in the UEFA Champions League
The draws for the group stage of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League have been concluded, and all 32 teams have been placed in groups. This article will look at the Nigerian players who will be participating in this season’s UCL group stage.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Super Eagles and Napoli goal machine Victor Osimhen will once again lead the line for Italian champions Napoli in the UEFA Champions League this season. The Partenopei have been drawn against Real Madrid, SC Braga and Union Berlin in Group C.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Fresh from signing for storied Italian side AC Milan, dazzling winger Samuel Chukwueze will hope to make an impact for his new side in Group F, where they have been drawn against PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United in what many term to be a group of death.
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Despite links away from the club, Left-back Zaidu Sanusi remains with Portuguese giants FC Porto and is expected to be a part of their squad for the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage as they take on FC Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp in Group H.
Chidera Ejuke, Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
Talented winger Chidera Ejuke completed a move to Belgian champions Royal Antwerp this summer, and it coincided with their appearance in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the club was founded. He will play in the competition alongside fellow Nigerian Alhassan Yusuf, a midfield enforcer who played in the Playoff win over AEK Athens. They will be in Group H with FC Barcelona, FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)
Experienced striker Peter Olayinka opted to swap the red and white of Slavia Prague for that of Red Star Belgrade this summer and will make a return to the UEFA Champions League with the Serbian giants, who are in Group G alongside champions Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Young Boys.
Samu Omorodion* (Atletico Madrid)
Nigerian-Spanish striker Samu Omorodion will be hopeful of representing Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League this season after completing a move to the Wanda Metropolitano from Granada. Los Rojiblancos will play Feyenoord, Lazio and Celtic in Group E.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro* (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan Primavera midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro will hope to impress manager Simone Inzaghi as much as he did at the end of last season to convince him to invite him to the senior squad once more. The teenager will hope to feature as last season’s finalists navigate a Group D pairing that has Benfica, RB Salzburg and Real Sociedad.
