The race to the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) reached its final qualifying round with several Super Falcons players involved, though success eluded most of them.
Here is a rundown of how Nigeria stars fared as their clubs fought to secure a place in the prestigious competition’s group stages.
Super Falcons in the UEFA Women's Champions League
Christy Ucheibe (Benfica)
It was a challenging double blow for Christy Ucheibe in Benfica's final qualifying round tie against Swedish side Hammarby.
Ucheibe suffered an injury during the first leg in Sweden, where Benfica secured a famous 2-1 away win.
Despite her team’s success, the injury ruled her out of the second leg in Portugal. Without Ucheibe’s presence in midfield, Benfica faltered, losing 2-0 at home, which resulted in a 3-2 aggregate defeat, ending their hopes of advancing to the group stage.
It was a painful exit for the tenacious Super Falcons midfielder, who had been instrumental in Benfica’s campaign up to that point.
Tosin Demehin (Galatasaray)
Tosin Demehin will be delighted to have helped Galatasaray secure a place in the UWCL group stage.
After completing her transfer from French side Stade Reims just in time, Demehin made her debut in a 2-2 first-leg draw against Czech side Slavia Prague, coming off the bench to make an impact.
In the second leg, Demehin started and played a solid game, helping Galatasaray clinch a 2-1 win in Prague, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory.
The Super Falcons defender now looks forward to competing in the group stages of Europe’s premier women’s competition with her new team.
Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain)
It was a disappointing and bittersweet experience for Jennifer Echegini, who saw her Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) side eliminated by her former club, Juventus.
In the first leg in Turin, Echegini and her PSG teammates fell to a 3-1 defeat. Any hope of a comeback in Paris was dashed when Juventus secured another victory, this time 2-1, completing a 5-2 aggregate win.
For the Super Falcons attacking midfielder, the frustration of losing to her former teammates and exiting the competition so early was evident as PSG’s European dream came to an abrupt end.
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)
Chiamaka Nnadozie had a tough couple of weeks as Paris FC were thoroughly outclassed by English side Manchester City.
In the first leg at home, Nnadozie endured a difficult match as her team suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat. The return leg in Manchester brought no respite, with Paris FC losing 3-0, sealing an 8-0 aggregate defeat.
The Nigerian goalkeeper could do little to stop the rampant City attack as her team bowed out of the competition in painful fashion, marking a disappointing end to their UWCL campaign.
Despite the mixed fortunes for Nigeria's Super Falcons players, Tosin Demehin’s triumph with Galatasaray offers a glimmer of hope, with the defender set to compete in the group stage of the competition.
For others, like Ucheibe, Echegini, and Nnadozie, the focus will shift to domestic league action and recovery after a tough European journey.