The two Nigerians played a significant role in Rangers and Manchester United’s qualification for the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League.
Joe Aribo’s Rangers face a difficult clash against Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last 16, while Odion Ighalo’s Manchester United have been handed an easy draw against Austrian side, Lask Linz.
Rangers saw off Portuguese side, Braga in the round of 32 with Aribo playing a vital role in Gers progress. The Nigeria international came on in the first leg to help Steven Gerrard side come back from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-2 win at the Ibrox.
The 23-year-old scored Rangers second goal on that magical night at the Ibrox while he also played the last 18 minutes of the second leg at the Municipal stadium.
A Ryan Kent second-half strike in the return leg on Wednesday evening secured a 4-2 aggregate win for Steven Gerrard’s men. The reward for their win is a clash against Bayer Leverkusen with Rangers hosting the Germans in the first leg.
Meanwhile, Odion Ighalo scored his first goal for United as the Red Devils thrashed Club Brugge in the return leg of their last 32 Europa League encounter at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for United before Ighalo added the second from close range. Further goals from Scott Mctominay and a brace from Fred secured the Red Devils passage into the round of 16.
And as a result, they have been handed a clash against LASK Linz with the first leg set to take place in Austria before the second leg a week later at Old Trafford.
Other ties of the round will see, Victor Moses Inter Milan take on Ajax conquerors, Getafe. Sevilla lock horns with Roma, while Olympiacos trade tackles with another English side (Wolves) after upsetting Arsenal.
Europa League round-of-16 draw
Istanbul Basaksehir vs FC Copenhagen
Olympiacos vs Wolves
Rangers vs Bayer Leverkusen
Wolfsburg vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Inter Milan vs Getafe
Sevilla vs Roma
Frankfurt/Red Bull Salzburg vs Basel
LASK vs Manchester United
