Barcelona Forward Oshoala Battles In-form Super Falcons Teammate As Minsk Arrive In Spain

Super Falcons teammates Asisat Oshoala and Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva will go head-to-head when Barcelona face Belarusian club Minsk in the Round of 16 of the Women UEFA Champions League.

Oshoala is in fine form in the Spanish league having already smashed in four goals so far but is yet to score a goal in two outings in Europe this season. However, compatriot Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva has been in hot form with her impressive nine goals making her the competition's joint-top scorer.

Last season finalist, Barcelona thrashed  Minsk in the Round of 32 in Europe's elite club competition three years ago,  with the Blaugranes advancing with a 5-1 aggregate win. Nigeria's Oghiabekhva scored her side's only goal in those encounters.

Barcelona forward, Oshoala is however looking forward to this matchup with her international teammate.

“It's a very good thing. It's really nice to see my national teammate [Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva] playing in the Champions League just like me,” Oshoala told Goal, as monitored by Soccernet.ng.

“Playing against her [Minsk] team, it's a very big challenge for me personally and it's going to be really interesting.

“I think no matter the opponent we are playing against, we just have to give everything and make sure we get the three points before other things come later.

“I think Minsk are a very good side and a top side as well and won all the games in their domestic league and also qualified through the Champions League playoff and beat Zurich in the Round of 32.

“It shows they are ready for business. For us as a team, we are not going to underrate anyone because for them to be at the stage it means they are a good side as well.

“I don't think we are under any pressure because we have some other top clubs like Lyon, Bayern Munich and even Minsk at this stage. We are ready to give everything to take us to the next round.”

Barcelona will host Minsk in the first leg on Thursday at the Estadi Johan Cruyff before travelling to Belarus to face them at Stadion FK Minsk two weeks later.