Osimhen, Lookman Lead Nigerian Stars Into Champions League Action as Usor Remains Doubtful
Nigerian football stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are back in the UEFA Champions League spotlight this week as clubs continue their league-phase campaigns, while Moses Usor remains a doubt for LASK.
Lookman will be involved on Tuesday as Atletico Madrid travel to Stuttgart, while Christian Nwachukwu could also feature when Sabah welcome Borussia Dortmund in Baku. Osimhen takes centre stage on Wednesday when Galatasaray travel to France to face Lille.
Lookman faces Stuttgart test
Lookman and Atletico Madrid travel to the MHPArena looking to build on an impressive run of form.
Atletico began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool but responded with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in their second league-phase fixture. Lookman scored the second goal against United.
The Nigerian forward has recorded two goal involvements in 11 appearances this season and will be hoping to make another impact against Stuttgart.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, have won their opening two Champions League matches, beating Viking 3-1 and Slovan Bratislava 3-0.
Nwachukwu in line for Dortmund clash
Christian Nwachukwu could also get another taste of Champions League football when Sabah host Borussia Dortmund.
The 20-year-old Nigerian joined the Azerbaijani club from Sheffield United in August and was part of the squad as Sabah recorded a historic 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague last week.
Nwachukwu also featured as Sabah defeated Gabala 4-0 in domestic competition at the weekend.
Other Nigerian players could be involved when Slavia Prague travel to Fenerbahce, with Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Moses David and Samuel Isifie among the Nigerians in the Czech club’s squad.
Osimhen takes centre stage against Lille
Attention turns to Victor Osimhen on Wednesday as Galatasaray visit Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Galatasaray are searching for their first points of the league phase after defeats to Sporting CP and Barcelona in their opening two matches.
Osimhen comes into the European fixture having played the full 90 minutes in Galatasaray’s 1-0 domestic victory over Gençlerbirliği on Saturday.
With the Turkish champions needing a positive result in France, the Nigerian striker will again be one of the players expected to carry their attacking threat.
Usor doubtful for Sporting CP clash
Moses Usor’s availability remains uncertain as LASK prepare to visit Sporting CP on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Nigerian winger missed LASK’s previous Champions League encounter with Liverpool. UEFA lists Sporting CP against LASK among Wednesday’s fixtures, while Usor is one of the Austrian club’s players to watch this season.
Fellow Nigerian Samuel Adeniran could be another attacking option after finding the net in LASK’s 4-0 domestic win over Austria Lustenau.
For Nigerian football fans, the next two nights offer another opportunity to watch some of the country’s established stars and emerging talents compete on Europe’s biggest club stage.