GODWIN AIKIGBE profiles 10 Nigerian stars who might be in motion for his or her numerous golf equipment throughout Europe because the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League enters its league stage on Wednesday and Thursday
VICTOR OSIMHEN (Galatasaray vs. PAOK Thessaloniki)
Unarguably Nigeria’s largest star in Europe membership competitions, Osimhen might be anticipated to carry his A-game for Galatasaray in opposition to the Greeks tonight at RAMS Park in Istanbul.
Unfazed by the protracted summer season switch saga, the 25-year-old has hit the bottom working at Galatasaray following his season-long mortgage arrival from Napoli earlier this month, offering two assists in as many Turkish Tremendous Lig video games that led to victories, together with the weekend’s Istanbul derby 3-1 defeat of Fenernabche, the place he delivered a luxurious chested help for former Napoli teammate Diers Martens for his or her second objective.
The Nigeria striker boasts European soccer expertise with Napoli and can, as normal, show a handful for opposing defenders.
FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU (Dinamo Kiev vs. Lazio)
Dele-Bashiru has loved some patronage from Coach Marco Baroni since becoming a member of Lazio on mortgage from Hatay of Turkey in July, having began in two of his three Serie A appearances throughout their 5 fixtures.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who’s touted as a substitute for Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, will look to make his debut within the competitors when Lazio face the Ukrainians tonight at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg for his or her first match of the European season.
His solely European expertise was that includes for Manchester Metropolis within the UEFA Youth League. He and his teammates might be impressed by their nice begin to the season, scoring in 13 straight video games in all competitions and hitting the again of the online in each match since a Serie A gathering with Roma in April.
IGOH OGBU (PFK Ludogorets vs. Slavia Prague)
Ogbu, a defender, is at present sidelined by harm and can play no half in tonight’s encounter between his membership Slavia Prague and Ludogorets at Huvepharma Area, Razgrad.
The 24-year-old unsung Nigerian might be a sore miss for the guests, having been having fun with a wealthy vein of kind this season, beginning all eight video games and offering one help within the Czech topflight.
Ogbu, who’s enjoying his third season with Slavia Prague following his switch from Lillestrøm, was injured and changed 24 minutes into their 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen on Saturday.
He boasts an intensive European soccer expertise with Slavia Prague, Lillestrøm, and Rosenborg and might be anticipated to carry his expertise to bear at later levels of the competitors, upon restoration.
UMAR SADIQ (Good vs. Actual Sociedad)
Like Ogbu, Sadiq is injured and won’t be concerned in Actual Sociedad’s journey to Allianz Riviera for a date with Good.
The 27-year-old got here down with Hamstring on Sunday with a returned date but unknown.
His run out with the remainder of the crew has been largely thwarted by accidents since his €20 switch from Almeria in August 2022.
After being sidelined by an MCL knee harm for your complete 2022/23 season, he not too long ago suffered a knee harm that saved him out for 12 days.
Sadiq has began two of three matches for the membership this season.
BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL (Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise)
The Nigeria defender might be in motion for Fenerbahce when Jose Mourinho’s crew host Union Saint-Gilloise at Ülker Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday evening.
The 25-year-old has began two of his crew’s fixtures within the new marketing campaign and might be trying to cease their guests’ bid to snap their run of poor kind within the league section of the sequence.
Osayi-Samuel was an integral a part of Fenerbahce’s final UEFA Champions League marketing campaign, an expertise that ought to depend this time period.
CYRIEL DESSERS, LEON BALOGUN (Malmö FF vs Rangers)
Dessiers is anticipated to steer Rangers’ line in opposition to Malmo at Eleda Stadion on Thursday evening.
The 26-year-old striker has been in ravenous kind for the Glasgow giants within the final two seasons and has scored three targets in 5 video games into the brand new Scottish Premiership season.
Whereas he’s a positive guess for motion, his Nigeria teammate, Leon Balogun, continues to exit on the fringes and should not characteristic for Rangers in opposition to the in-form Malmö aspect.
Nonetheless, each gamers boast huge European soccer expertise and will make their involvement depend when conditions demand.
CHUBA AKPOM (Ajax vs. Beşiktaş)
The Nigerian prospect has proved indispensable for Ajax and is anticipated to spearhead their assault in opposition to Besiktas at Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, on Thursday, with either side out to increase unbeaten streaks.
Akpom, 28, starred as Ajax received their final qualifying tie, beating Jagiellonia Białystok 7-1 on mixture within the play-offs. The Dutch Eredivisie membership are undefeated of their final 4 video games in all competitions, profitable three and drawing one.
Akpom scored three targets and supplied two assists.
Scoring two targets in as many video games into the brand new Dutch Eredivisie marketing campaign with one help to his identify, underscores his kind heading into the encounter.
TEREM MOFFI (Good vs. Actual Sociedad)
Like Ogbu and Sadiq, Moffi is out injured and can play no half in his membership’s conflict with Actual Sociedad at Allianz Riviera on Thursday evening.
The 25-year-old is out with an MCL knee harm and hasn’t been concerned in any of the 5 Ligue 1 video games that his membership have performed thus far in 2024/2025.
Moffi final made an look in a contest sport on Could 19, 2024, enjoying 26 minutes for Good in opposition to Lille in a 2-2 draw.
He was a part of Good’s Champions League marketing campaign within the 2022/23 season following his € 22.5m switch from Lorient.
Moffi featured for Riteriai within the 2019/20 Europa League.
VICTOR ORAKPO (Good vs. Actual Sociedad)
Youngest and by far least skilled Orakpo, 18, a striker, has skilled a meteoric rise not too long ago, breaking into the primary crew of Good.
He has began all three Ligue One video games for the membership this season, his maiden European league marketing campaign, however remains to be awaiting his dock breaker.
Orakpo made his league debut, aged 18 years and 216 days, in opposition to Auxerre on August 18 and might be trying to make his debut in a European membership soccer competitors in opposition to Actual Sociedad.
He performed for 13 minutes in his final outing with Good, an 8-0 win over Saint-Étienne on September 20.
