Sadiq Umar and eight other Nigerian players to lookout for in the Europa/Conference Leagues today
Sportsration presents a preview of Sadiq Umar and eight other Nigerian players to lookout for as UEFA Europa and Conference leagues get underway today Thursday September 8 .
SADIQ UMAR ( Real Sociedad )
The lanky forward joined Real Sociedad from Almeria in August 2022 and marked his debut with a goal vs Atletico Madrid .
Sadiq Umar and Real Sociedad will kickoff their 2022/2023 UEFA Europa league campaign vs Manchester United at Old Trafford .
Real Sociedad will be banking on Umar to bang the goals if they must achieve success in Europe’s second tier club football competition .
MOSES SIMON ( FC Nantes )
Super Eagles winger Moses Simon and his French Ligue One side FC Nantes will kickstart their Europa league campaign against Olympiakos .
The game at the Stade de la Beoujoure will afford FC Nantes a chance to lay a good foundation with Freiburg and Qarabag waiting on the wings in Group G .
When fit, Moses Simon is an integral part of the FC Nantes squad and will play a big part in their quest for continental success this term.
BRIGHT OSAYI SAMUEL (Fernabache)
24 years old Nigerian midfielder Osayi Samuel will be in action for Turkish Super Ligue side Fernabache in Group B of this seasons UEFA Europa League .
Osayi Samuel and Fernabache will begin the campaign vs Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday September 8, 2022 .
AEK Larnaca and Stade Rennàis are the other teams in Group B.
To reach the Group stage, Osayi Samuel bagged 628 minutes in three qualifying rounds for the Turkish Giants who are well experienced in Europe’s club competition .
RASHEED AKANBI AND IYAYI ATIENWEN ( Sheriff Tiraspol )
Raheed Akanbi and Iyayi Atienwen both joined Sheriff Tiraspol on July 1 , 2022 .
23 year old winger Rasheed Akanbi has made four appearances for FC Sheriff with a return of two goals while Iyayi Atienwen has featured six times with a goal and one assist to his name .
Sheriff Tiraspol enjoyed a roller coaster UEFA Champions League campaign last season . That experience plus the confidence from an impressive start to the domestic season will put them in good stead against Omonia Nicosia on Matchday One.
Both Nigerian wingers have already bagged 180 minutes of action in the qualifying rounds and will be hoping for more as the competition proper gets underway .
VICTOR BONIFACE ( Union Saint- Gilloise)
21 year old Victor Boniface will play in Group D of this seasons UEFA Europa League with Belgium Jupilier side Union Saint-Gilloise .
A difficult opening day fixture vs German Bundesliga side Union Berlin will test Victor Boniface and his teammates before games against Malmo and Braga .
Boniface who has a goal in four appearances for Union SG already this term , will lead the Belgium sides attack , main reason why the club moved for his signature in the last transfer window .
VICTOR OLATUNJI (AEK Larnaca)
Greek side AEK Larnaca will face Stade Rennàis , Fernabache and Dynamo Kyiv in Group B of the 2022/2023 UEFA Europa League .
Victor Olatunji has been on the books of AEK Larnaca since July 2021 and will play a part in their European journey this season.
On paper , AEK Larnaca will begin the campaign as the weakest team in Group B a tag Victor Olatunji and his teammates will take to the turf vs Stade Rennàis to disapprove of or confirm on Matchday One .
ANDERSON ESITI ( Ferencvarosi )
28 year old Nigerian Midfielder Anderson Esiti and his Hungarian side will face a tasking Group A campaign vs Monaco , Red Star Belgrade and Matchday One opponents Trabzonspor .
Three cap Super Eagle , Anderson Esiti is an integral part of the Ferencvarosi set-up , his strength and experience a huge boost to the Hungarian sides chances in the competition .
FRANCIS UZOHO ( Omonia Nicosia )
Super Eagles goalkepeer Francis Uzoho is in the Europa League this season with Omonia Nicosia .
The Cypriot side are paired alongside Manchester United , Real Sociedad and Sheriff Tiraspol who they face matchday one .
Uzoho has played only one game at the club this season and faces direct Competition with 34 year old Brazilian shotstopper Fabiano for who man’s the post on Matchday One at the GPS stadium in Cyprus .
In the UEFA Europa Conference League , Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor) and Samuel Chukwueze ( Villarreal ) headline list of Nigerian playing in the competition this season .
