The UEFA Champions League enters the knockout phase proper with the first leg round of 16 matches starting on Tuesday.
High profile players of diverse nationalities, including Nigeria, have come and gone following the group and playoff stages. However, there are still three Nigerian players fans would be looking to cheer on, with the hope that their clubs make a deep run and possibly win in the leading club competition globally.
Osimhen has been proving his status as a top marksman in the UCL, leading the Turkish champions from the group stage with some impressive results. He is joint-fourth on the scorers chart with seven goals, same as Erling Haaland, netting in four of eight group stage matches, and all seven goals proved crucial in deciding the fate of the match..
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The 27-year-old has also been the delight of fans with his pressing that leads to goals for Galatasaray, endearing himself to spectators with his energy, drive, and versatility. More will be expected from the former Napoli striker against Liverpool, an opposition he silenced in the group stage, netting the winning goal in a 1-0 win.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham)
The 29-year-old winger made a high profile transfer to Atletico Madrid in January and he has been the talk among football enthusiast. Nigerian fans hailed the transfer, and fans in Madrid have been mesmerized in just ten matches for Los Cholconeros. Lookman has seven goal involvements already- four goals and three assists, and was instrumental in their playoff win over Club Brugge (a goal and assist each).
The London boy has put his Atalanta ordeal earlier this season behind him, and has transformed into a Madrid’s mystery player with a set of skills that can unlock any defence. He is primed to punish off-form Tottenham, as Atletico look for a route back to the UCL final for the first time in ten years.
HONEST AHANOR (Atalanta vs Bayern Munich)
Honest Ahanor has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining the Bergamo side from Genoa in July last year. Largely unknown by his Italian abode and Nigerian heritage, the 18 years old ball-playing defender has received rave reviews after 24 matches with the club, including seven UCL games. The Aversa-born defender has drawn comparisons with legendary Paolo Maldini, the physically dominating €40 million-rated player has the unenviable task of keeping free-scoring Harry Kane quiet, and driving the team forward with his signature vertical passes in their round of 16 clash.
Hailed as one of the “most exciting prospects in European football”, Ahanor could become the toast of Nigerian fans- and potential overtures from the NFF to represent Nigeria at senior level- if he can silence the German champions that averages 2.75 goals per game from 22 goals in the group phase.
UCL Round of 16 Fixtures (First leg)
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
