Chukwueze, Onyemaechi, Uchenna and 6 Nigerians to watch in the UEFA Europa League

Samuel Chukwueze has been in great form for AC Milan this season and will look to feature as the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase kicks off today, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nine Nigerian internationals are set to feature across the tournament in what is one of the strongest Green and White representations in the competition’s modern era

From established names like Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze to emerging talents including Emmanuel Uchenna and Salim Fago Lawal, the Europa League will provide a valuable European stage for both established Super Eagles regulars and fringe internationals still building their case for Eric Chelle’s AFCON 2027 planning.

Here are the nine Nigerians to watch across the coming league phase and knockout rounds.

Nine Nigerians to watch in the UEFA Europa League

1. Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)

The former Villarreal winger returned to AC Milan after his 2025/26 loan spell at Fulham, and has been retrained by new head coach Ruben Amorim as a wing-back in the Rossoneri’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Chukwueze has registered two assists across four Serie A appearances this season, delivering the cross for Adrien Rabiot’s goal at Torino on August 23 and setting up Alexis Saelemaekers against Venezia.

2. Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)

The 27-year-old Nigerian left-back joined Olympiacos in January of 2025 and has become a regular in the Greek Super League champions’ defence.

Onyemaechi has been Nigeria’s starting left-back since the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, and his 2026/27 Europa League chapter will formally elevate his place in Eric Chelle’s squad.

His crossing quality from the left flank is the specific attribute Nigeria’s 4-3-1-2 system has benefited from.

3. Emmanuel Uchenna (Sparta Prague)

The Nigerian defender is expected to feature prominently for Czech giants Sparta Prague across the Europa League league phase, but has not yet featured for the Super Eagles at senior level, and a strong Europa League campaign would be the most direct route to a first Chelle call-up ahead of the AFCON 2027 window.

However, Uchenna is currently nursing an injury and hasn’t been in action since April 2026.

4. Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş)

The current Super Eagles captain is a leader in the Beşiktaş dressing room. Ndidi’s midfield defensive shielding will be needed by the Turkish giants as he rebuilds his fitness, and the Europa League chapter arrives at the perfect moment for the Nigerian captain to lead by example ahead of Nigeria’s September AFCON qualifiers.

5. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)

The 27-year-old right winger has been rebuilding his Leverkusen chapter following a foot injury that cost him two months of the 2025/26 campaign.

Tella returned to the starting XI against Newcastle United on August 15 and scored in the 4-0 DFB Pokal win at Wehen Wiesbaden a week later.

New Leverkusen head coach Carles Martinez has backed the Nigerian, but his availability for the clash against Slovenian side NK Celje isn’t guaranteed as he’s suffering from a back injury.

6. Bamidele Yusuf (Ferencvaros)

The 25-year-old winger’s pace, dribbling and creativity have already produced four goals and one assist for Ferencvaros this season, and his Europa League opener will be the specific stage on which he can start to make a wider Super Eagles selection claim.

7. Salim Fago Lawal (Viktoria Plzen)

The 23-year-old was part of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad in Morocco, although he played just a minute in the tournament.

After the tournament, he made the move to Plzen from NK Istra, but he has yet to find the back of the net this season in five appearances, a run he’ll be looking to end when his side plays against Union St.Gilloise tomorrow.

8. Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille)

The Marseille midfielder is the most complicated name on this list. Nnadi is currently sidelined after opting against immediate surgery on a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury, meaning he will miss the opening Europa League fixture against Ndidi’s Besiktas tomorrow, and potentially a significant chunk of the league phase itself.

9. David Akintola (Omonia Nicosia)

The Nigerian forward completed a summer move to Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia after leaving Hull City.