Champions League: Who are Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, other Super Eagles stars playing?

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen is no stranger to this stage. This will be his fourth Champions League campaign since making his bow with Lille in 2019/20, a debut season that brought goals against Chelsea and Valencia.

He has since flown the flag for Lille and Napoli in the competition, and now lines up a third club, Galatasaray,  in Europe’s premier tournament.

At 27, his record stands at nine goals in 17 appearances. The chance to add to that tally begins this autumn.

Galatasaray’s UCL Fixtures

• Thu, 18 Sep – SGE vs GAL (8:00 PM)
• Tue, 30 Sep – GAL vs LIV (8:00 PM)
• Wed, 22 Oct – GAL vs BODO (5:45 PM)
• Wed, 5 Nov – AJA vs GAL (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 25 Nov – GAL vs USG (6:45 PM)
• Tue, 9 Dec – MON vs GAL (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 21 Jan – GAL vs ATM (6:45 PM)

Nathan Tella

At 26, Nathan Tella is back on Europe’s grandest stage. The Nigeria forward is in his second UEFA Champions League campaign with Bayer Leverkusen, looking to push the German champions further than last season’s last-16 exit to rivals Bayern Munich.

Seven appearances, one goal contribution (a goal scored against Sparta Prague) that’s his record so far in the competition. This term offers the chance to add to it.

Leverkusen’s UCL Fixtures

• Thu, 18 Sep – KBH vs B04 (5:45 PM)
• Wed, 1 Oct – B04 vs PSV (8:00 PM)
• Tue, 21 Oct – B04 vs PSG (8:00 PM)
• Wed, 5 Nov – BEN vs B04 (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 25 Nov – MNC vs B04 (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 10 Dec – B04 vs NEW (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 20 Jan – OLY vs B04 (9:00 PM)

Ademola Lookman

The reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year is back on the Champions League carousel, playing in back-to-back campaigns for the first time in his career.

Ademola Lookman‘s first taste came in 2019/20 with RB Leipzig, 69 minutes against Zenit St Petersburg before last season’s breakout with Atalanta, where he struck five goals and added an assist in just seven games. That run was enough to announce him properly on Europe’s biggest stage.

Now comes the challenge of going again, if his often-toxic employers give him the platform. Another smooth campaign hinges on minutes.

Atalanta’s UCL Fixtures

• Wed, 17 Sep – PSG vs ATA (8:00 PM)
• Tue, 30 Sep – ATA vs BRU (5:45 PM)
• Wed, 22 Oct – ATA vs SLP (8:00 PM)
• Wed, 5 Nov – OLM vs ATA (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 26 Nov – SGE vs ATA (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 9 Dec – ATA vs CHE (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 21 Jan – ATA vs ATH (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 28 Jan – USG vs ATA (9:00 PM)

Raphael Onyedika

Raphael Onyedika has been around the Champions League block, four seasons deep since debuting with Midtjylland in 2021/22. 

His true introduction, however, came with a goal against Manchester City last season, a moment that placed him firmly on the European map.

He has since carried the colours of Midtjylland and Belgian side Club Brugge in the tournament, amassing 29 appearances to date. 

This season offers another platform, with Barcelona, Arsenal and others on the horizon.

Club Brugge’s UCL Fixtures

• Thu, 18 Sep – BRU vs MON (5:45 PM)
• Tue, 30 Sep – ATA vs BRU (5:45 PM)
• Wed, 22 Oct – MUN vs BRU (8:00 PM)
• Wed, 5 Nov – BRU vs BAR (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 26 Nov – SCP vs BRU (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 10 Dec – BRU vs ARS (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 20 Jan – KAI vs BRU (4:30 PM)
• Wed, 28 Jan – BRU vs OLM (9:00 PM)

Igoh Ogbu

Igoh Ogbu took his first steps into the Champions League last season, featuring twice in the preliminary rounds. 

This time, the 25-year-old finally gets a proper crack at the main draw.

It is a debut at the highest level, and the opposition reads like a roll call: Bukayo Saka, Lautaro Martínez, Lamine Yamal, and others. A testing ground, but also a stage to announce himself.

Slavia Prague’s UCL Fixtures

• Wed, 17 Sep – SLP vs BODO (5:45 PM)
• Tue, 30 Sep – INT vs SLP (8:00 PM)
• Wed, 22 Oct – ATA vs SLP (8:00 PM)
• Tue, 4 Nov – SLP vs ARS (6:45 PM)
• Tue, 25 Nov – SLP vs ATH (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 9 Dec – TOT vs SLP (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 21 Jan – SLP vs BAR (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 28 Jan – PAF vs SLP (9:00 PM)

Bruno Onyemaechi

Bruno Onyemaechi is entering an uncharted territory. A first season in the Champions League, without even a qualifier under his belt. 

This is the biggest stage he has ever dreamt of, and now the 26-year-old stands on it in the colours of Olympiacos.

The task ahead is steep: he will be tested by left-wingers of the highest order;  Bukayo Saka, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Rodrygo and the rest. But this is where reputations are made.

Olympiacos’ UCL Fixtures

• Wed, 17 Sep – OLY vs PAF (5:45 PM)
• Wed, 1 Oct – ARS vs OLY (8:00 PM)
• Tue, 21 Oct – BAR vs OLY (5:45 PM)
• Tue, 4 Nov – OLY vs PSV (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 26 Nov – OLY vs RMA (9:00 PM)
• Tue, 9 Dec – KAI vs OLY (4:30 PM)
• Tue, 20 Jan – OLY vs B04 (9:00 PM)
• Wed, 28 Jan – AJA vs OLY (9:00 PM)