Seven Nigerian Players to Watch as the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Begins

As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League kicks off with an expanded format, football fans are excited to see the return of Europe’s biggest club competition. This season introduces a new league phase, with 36 teams competing across eight matches, each facing different opponents in home-and-away fixtures. Among the players to watch are seven Nigerian stars who are set to make a significant impact for their clubs. Here’s a look at these standout players:

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Samuel Chukwueze will be in the spotlight when AC Milan faces Liverpool in their opening league phase match at San Siro. The 25-year-old winger, now in his second season with Milan, has made 13 previous appearances in the Champions League, scoring four goals. Chukwueze will be aiming to build on his European performances, which include memorable goals against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Fans will be eager to see if he can continue his scoring streak as Milan kicks off their campaign.

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Raphael Onyedika, the 23-year-old midfielder for Club Brugge, will play a key role when his team takes on Borussia Dortmund. Despite coming close to joining Galatasaray in the summer, Onyedika remains focused on helping Brugge navigate the Champions League. He will be looking to make an impact in his eighth appearance in the competition, even as he continues to search for his first goal or assist. His defensive presence will be vital in this tough fixture.

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Victor Boniface & Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, both debutants in the Champions League, are part of Bayer Leverkusen’s exciting squad. After winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last season, Leverkusen returns to Europe’s elite competition with high hopes. Boniface and Tella will be key attacking options for the German club as they face Feyenoord in their opening match. Fans will be eager to see how these two Nigerians perform in their Champions League debuts.

Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)
Peter Olayinka, with 11 Champions League appearances, will be looking to end his goal drought when Red Star Belgrade hosts Benfica. Olayinka scored on his UCL debut in 2019 against Inter Milan but hasn’t found the net since. Starting the new campaign at home, the Nigerian striker will hope to help his team make a strong start and break his five-year goal drought in the competition.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman is another Nigerian star to watch. Lookman had a standout season in the UEFA Europa League, where he played a pivotal role in his team’s success. However, he has only made one appearance in the Champions League, and that is set to change when Atalanta faces Arsenal. After scoring and assisting in Atalanta’s recent Serie A win over Fiorentina, Lookman is in top form and will be looking to make a mark in Europe’s premier club competition.

Zachary Athekame (Young Boys)
Zachary Athekame, a promising 19-year-old right-back for Young Boys, is set to make his Champions League debut. Born in Switzerland to Nigerian parents, Athekame has already impressed with five appearances this season, contributing one assist. As Young Boys face Aston Villa, Athekame will be eager to showcase his talents on the biggest stage in European football.

As the new UEFA Champions League season begins, these seven Nigerian players will be ones to watch. With the competition offering a fresh format and more opportunities, fans can expect thrilling performances as these stars strive for success with their respective clubs.

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