After a brilliant start to the 2021-22 campaign, one of Europe’s finest youngsters of Nigerian descent is aiming to mix it up with the best in the continent’s premier club competition
Exciting Nigerian prospect Chukwunonso ‘Noni’ Madueke has admitted that PSV Eindhoven’s UEFA Champions League clash with Benfica on Wednesday would be the biggest game of his career.
After outclassing Galatasaray and Midtjylland in the previous qualifying rounds of the competition, PSV make the trip to the Estadio da Luz to face Benfica for a chance to secure a spot in the UCL group stages.
Madueke was crucial in helping the Red and White make it thus far in Europe’s number one club competition, with the Tottenham academy product netting two goals in four games.
The 19-year-old will be expected to be decisive against the Portuguese giants on the back of his early-season form.
After smashing in three goals in two preseason friendlies, Madueke has been unstoppable. The youngster scored in the Eredivisie and twice against Ajax to power PSV to the Dutch Super Cup.
And the England youth international has his sights set on appearing at the biggest stage of club football.
“Yes, this (Benfica vs. PSV) is the biggest game of my career,” Noni Madueke said, as per Ed.
“If you’re not there for that, something isn’t quite right,” he said with a laugh.
“Just like the others, I’m going to have a nice rest and try to be great there. I feel relaxed, and everything is going well at PSV.
“We must maintain this momentum. I think we all come into our own in this system. I myself can pull in from the outside and try to be dangerous.”
Benfica are no easy customers as they are unbeaten in their last nine matches and undefeated in ten games at home.
But 1988 UEFA Champions League winners PSV are no pushovers either, and an irresistible encounter awaits when both teams face off on Wednesday.
