Ready for Super Eagles recall? Red Star Belgrade’s Uchenna is Europa League’s best

Super Eagles defender Franklin Uchenna has emerged as the highest-rated player in this week’s UEFA Europa League selections after delivering a decisive performance for Red Star Belgrade, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 26-year-old centre-back earned a place in the WhoScored Europa League Team of the Week following his match-winning display in a 1-0 knockout phase play-off first-leg victory over Lille OSC on Thursday night.

Uchenna scored the only goal of the game moments before half-time. The defender reacted quickest after a corner caused confusion inside the box, striking a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to hand the Serbian champions a crucial advantage.

Europa League Team of the Week | Play offs first leg 🇪🇺 ✨ pic.twitter.com/iMKvJCxzwZ

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) February 20, 2026

His commanding outing combined defensive discipline with attacking impact, a rare blend that caught analysts’ attention across Europe. Uchenna finished the week with a match rating of 8.78, the highest among all players selected in the Europa League Best XI.

The Nigerian was joined in the Team of the Week by four players from Nottingham Forest; Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo and Neco Williams, whose performances also stood out during the knockout fixtures.

Panathinaikos forward Andrews Tetteh followed closely behind Uchenna in the rankings after scoring twice against Viktoria Plzen. Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi also earned recognition for a brace in the away victory over Dinamo Zagreb. Other names included Genk captain Bryan Heynen, Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas, Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi and PAOK goalkeeper Antonis Tsiftsis.

Uchenna: Super Eagles opportunity looms

Uchenna’s goal not only secured an important European result but also strengthened his case for an international return with Nigeria.

The defender has not featured for the Super Eagles since making his debut in a friendly against Mexico in 2021. Since then, he has quietly rebuilt his reputation in Serbia, developing into one of Red Star Belgrade’s most reliable performers.

His recent form suggests a player growing in confidence and maturity, comfortable in possession, strong in aerial duels and increasingly decisive in key moments.

With Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle yet to announce his squad for next month’s friendly matches against Jordan and Iran, Uchenna’s Europa League display arrives at an ideal time.