The dust is settling across Europe's top leagues as the 2023/2024 season draws to a close. Champions have been crowned, relegation battles have been settled, and the race for continental glory is nearing its conclusion. While some leagues have already wrapped up, the anticipation for the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League is reaching a fever pitch.
For many clubs, the final weeks of the domestic season determine their fate in European competitions. Top finishers secure automatic qualification for the group stages, while others must navigate treacherous qualifying rounds to secure their place.
Nigerians have a rich history in these UEFA club tournaments, with players like Nwankwo Kanu,Finidi George, Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, and Michael Kayode etching their names in European football folklore. From Champions League glory to Europa League and the Conference League heroics, Nigerian footballers have consistently added their flair and talent to these prestigious competitions.
As we gear up for the 2024/2025 season, here's a comprehensive list of Nigerian footballers expected to participate in the upcoming UEFA club competitions, whether in the preliminary stages or the coveted group stage.
Let's take a look at which Nigerians secured automatic qualification and who will be battling it out in the qualifiers for a shot at European glory.
UEFA Champions League: Nigeria's elite representatives
Group Stage Bound:
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Victor Ehuwa Eletu (AC Milan, Italy)
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Inter, Italy)
- Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna, Italy)
- Victor Boniface (Leverkusen, Germany)
- Nathan Tella (Leverkusen, Germany)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Facing the Qualifiers:
The road to the group stage is tougher for these Nigerian players, whose clubs must navigate the qualifying rounds. They'll be aiming to impress and help their teams secure a coveted spot among Europe's elite.
- William Troost-Ekong (PAOK, Greece)
- Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland)
- Leon Balogun (Rangers, Scotland)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
Europa League hopefuls: Nigerians aiming for Thursday night glory
The UEFA Europa League is the second tier of european club competition, and it offers another platform for Nigerian footballers to showcase their talents on the European stage. Here, we'll look at the Nigerians who will be aiming to secure group stage berths or navigate the qualifying rounds for the 2024/2025 season.
Group Stage Secured:
- Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad, Spain)
- Terem Moffi (Nice, France)
- Gift Orban (Lyon, France)
- Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal)
Facing the Qualifiers:
Several other Nigerian players will be vying for qualification to the Europa League group stage with their respective clubs:
- Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
- Chuba Akpom (Ajax, Netherlands)
- Moses Usor (LASK Linz, Austria)
- Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium)
- Yira Collins Sor (Genk, Belgium)
- Christian Akpan (Genk, Belgium)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czechia)
- Muhamed Tijani (Slavia Prague, Czechia)
- Boluwatife Ogungbayi (Slavia Prague, Czechia)
- Ishaq Abdulrazak (Anderlecht, Belgium)
Nigerians in the Europa Conference League
The UEFA Europa Conference League, the third tier of European club competitions, provides another exciting stage for Nigerian footballers to showcase their talents. From established stars to rising prospects, here's a look at the Nigerians expected to participate in the 2024/2025 season:
Group Stage Secured:
- Michael Kayode (Fiorentina, Italy): Kayode has secured a comfortable spot in the group stage with Fiorentina, offering him a chance to compete against top European sides.
Qualifying Battles Ahead:
The majority of Nigerian players in the Europa Conference League will be battling for qualification in the early rounds. These players will be determined to impress and help their clubs reach the coveted group stage.
- Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim, Germany) – Qualifiers
- Samuel Ajine (Skënderbeu Korçë, Albania) – Qualifiers
- Mario Rabiu (Skënderbeu Korçë, Albania) – Qualifiers
- Uche Sebastien (Skënderbeu Korçë, Albania) – Qualifiers
- Christian Mba (Partizani, Albania) – Qualifiers
- Luqman Gilmore (Urartu, Armenia) – Qualifiers
- Tenton Yenne (Ararat-Armenia, Armenia) – Qualifiers
- Haggai Katoh (Noah, Armenia) – Qualifiers
- Yusuf Otubanjo (Pyunik, Armenia) – Qualifiers
- David Nwolokor (Rijeka, Croatia) – Qualifiers
- Rafiu Durosimi (Viktoria Plzen, Czechia) – Qualifiers
- Solomon John (Mlada Boleslav, Czechia) – Qualifiers
- Stanley Chimeremeze Iheanacho (Midtjylland, Denmark) – Qualifiers
- Ahmad Gero (FCI Levadia, Estonia) – Qualifiers
- Paul Adeniran Ogunkoya (KuPS, Finland) – Qualifiers
- Mohammed Muritala (KuPS, Finland) – Qualifiers
- Joshua Akpudje (Dinamo Tbilisi, Georgia) – Qualifiers
- Sunday Haruna (Dinamo Tbilisi, Georgia) – Qualifiers
- Uche Henry Agbo (Aktobe, Kazakhstan) – Qualifiers
- Nnamdi Ahanonu (Astana, Kazakhstan) – Qualifiers
- Timilehin Ogunniyi (Auda, Latvia) – Qualifiers
- Olabanjo Ogunji (Riga, Latvia) – Qualifiers
- Abdulrahman Taiwo (Riga, Latvia) – Qualifiers
- Emeka Kelvin Agu (Sliema Wanderers, Malta) – Qualifiers
- Emmanuel Alaribe (Zimbru Chisinau, Moldova) – Qualifiers
- Justice Ohajunwa (Zimbru Chisinau, Moldova) – Qualifiers
- Rasheed Ibrahim Akanbi (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova) – Qualifiers
- Peter Oluwaseun Ademo (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova) – Qualifiers
- Philip Otele (CFR Cluj, Romania) – Qualifiers
- Peter Godly Michael (CFR Cluj, Romania) – Qualifiers
- Kazeem Bolaji (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia) – Qualifiers
- Philip Azango (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia) – Qualifiers
- Azeez Oseni (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia) – Qualifiers
- Ishaq Kayode Rafiu (Maribor, Slovenia) – Qualifiers
- Peter Agba (Olimpija Ljubljana, Slovenia) – Qualifiers
- Ibrahim Buhari (Elfsborg, Sweden) – Qualifiers
- Osebi Abadaki (Bala Town, Wales) – Qualifiers
