News

How Nigerian players fared in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers third round

Games went down yesterday in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers with a number of Nigerian players involved

First, AC Milan target

Raphael Onyedika, the Nigerian midfielder being monitored by AC Milan was involved from start to finish in FC Midjtylland’s 3-1 home loss to Benfica in the third round of the Champions League playoffs.

Onyedika also got yellow-carded in the game as the Danish club will focus their attention on the Europa League. They never looked like they were up to the task against Benfica, losing 7-2 on aggregate.

The Nigerian midfielder however gave his suitors something to chew in the game as they finalise plans to take him to the Serie A.

Onyedika had a pass accuracy of 84% in the game with his heatmap showing great movements.

He won just two of his six ground duels and completed one of his three long balls. The midfielder has had better days but there’s promise in there.

No show for Boniface

Rangers bounced back from a 2-0 defeat in Belgium against Union Saint Gilloise to trounce the Belgians 3-0 in the third round of the Champions League playoffs.

USG were without their new Nigerian import, Victor Boniface who wasn’t dressed at all for the game. His club will now trade tackles in the Europa League after losing on a 3-2 aggregate to last year’s Europa League finalists.

And the Rest

In Sheriff Tiraspol’s 2-1 loss to Czech’s Viktoria Plzen, Nigerian forward Rasheed Akanbi scored the Moldovan league side’s only goal of the game.

The lanky forward recently moved to Tiraspol and has hit the ground running.

Mathias Oyewusi Kehinde was on the scoresheet for Zalgiris in their 6-1 aggregate loss to Norway’s Bodo Glimt.

Zalgiris held Bodo at home 1-1 but a first leg 5-0 loss will be rued as they drop to the Europa League.

Former U-17 international, Yusuf Otubanjo also started for Pjunik Yerevan as they lost on an 7-0 aggregate score to Partizan Belgrade. Otubanjo was subbed off in the 64th minute of the game.

In the Europa League

Former Plateau United forward, Sunday Adetunji scored the consolation for North Macedonia’s Shkupi as they lost at home to Shamrock Rovers, from the Republic of Ireland.

Shamrock featured young Irish-Nigerian, Aidomo Emakhu for the last ten minutes of the game as they won 5-2 on aggregate.

Rilwan Balogun

Rilwan is an editor, writer and loves every opinion.

Share
Published by
Rilwan Balogun

Recent Posts

CHAN 2024: Nigeria to tackle Senegal, Congo, Sudan – Who can survive Group D’s battle?

Super Eagles B team have been slated to tackle defending champions Senegal, Congo, and Sudan… Read More

4 hours ago

Official: Philip Otele joins FC Basel from UAE club Al Wahda

Swiss Super League side FC Basel have announced the signing of Nigerian forward Philip Otele… Read More

4 hours ago

Confirmed – CHAN 2024: Nigeria drawn with champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo in Group D

Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have been drawn into Group D of the much-anticipated 2024 African… Read More

6 hours ago

“I wasn’t trying to score” – Iwobi breaks silence on brace following Fulham’s 3-2 loss to West Ham United

Super Eagles and Fulham attacking midfielder, Alex Chuka Iwobi, was left disappointed despite scoring a… Read More

9 hours ago

Copa del Rey: What Valencia boss said after Sadiq Umar’s performance vs Ourense

Valencia head coach, Carlos Corberan, praised Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar after the Nigerian found… Read More

10 hours ago

Official: Spanish side Osasuna sign young Nigerian striker from Eldense

Spanish club CA Osasuna have signed young Nigerian striker Sixtus Ogbuehi on loan until the… Read More

10 hours ago