Demehin makes history with Galatasaray as Echegini and Nnadozie face Champions League disappointments

Oluwatosin Demehin played a pivotal role for Galatasaray as the Turkish champions made history by qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage for the first time, Soccernet.ng reports.

Galatasaray secured a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory over Slavia Praha, clinching a 4-3 aggregate win against the Czech giants.

Demehin, who made her debut in Galatasaray’s 2-2 draw during the first leg, helped her side pull off the historic triumph.

Slavia, three-time quarter-finalists, came from two goals down last week to equalise, but Galatasaray showed resilience in the return leg.

They overturned a deficit and forced extra time, with substitute Nazlican Parlak scoring the decisive goal just three minutes after coming on, sealing Türkiye’s first-ever group stage appearance.

Sour night for Echegini, Nnadozie, Ucheibe

However, it was a tough night for other Nigerian players in the competition.

Jennifer Echegini and Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Juventus, which, combined with a 2-5 aggregate loss, knocked them out of the tournament.

Ironically, Echegini joined PSG from Juventus earlier this summer after a brief spell in Italy.

Juventus’ Sofia Cantore and Barbara Bonansea grabbed the goals that ensured PSG missed the group stage for the first time in the club’s history.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also had a night to forget as her Paris FC side endured a crushing 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, leading to an 8-0 aggregate exit.

Chloe Kelly opened the scoring, while Khadija Shaw netted twice to seal City’s long-awaited group stage debut.

Nigerian midfielder Christy Ucheibe’s Champions League journey ended as well.

After featuring in a promising 2-1 win for Benfica over Hammarby in the first leg, Ucheibe was sidelined through injury, allowing the Swedish side to capitalise with a 2-0 win in Lisbon, advancing on a 3-2 aggregate.

With these results, the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage is set, featuring teams like Barcelona, Lyon, Bayern München, Chelsea, and debutants Galatasaray and Manchester City.