By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 29, 2026

All six Nigerians in contention for progression in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group phase successfully navigated the stage to reach the knockout phase, as Europe’s premier club competition concluded its opening round on Wednesday night. OLAMIDE ABE writes

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Osimhen’s UCL journey with Galatasaray has been defined as much by resilience as by output. The Nigerian striker was central to Galatasaray’s qualification despite the Turkish champions enduring a difficult end to the league phase. They scraped into the knockout play-offs with 10 points, finishing 19th, after failing to win their final four matches.

Osimhen returned to lead the line against Manchester City in their final group fixture, where Galatasaray lost 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. While the goals came in the first half through Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, Osimhen was Galatasaray’s most persistent attacking outlet after the break.

He recorded three shots, all on target, with an expected goals on target figure of 0.46, and was caught offside three times as he continually tried to stretch City’s defence.

Although he did not score, his influence in the second half underlined his importance to a side whose earlier momentum in the competition stalled during his injury absence and Africa Cup of Nations duty. Galatasaray’s qualification, though narrow, owed much to the points accumulated before that dip, with Osimhen remaining their reference point in attack.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

Lookman emerged as the highest-placed Nigerian player in the final league standings, with Atalanta finishing 15th on 13 points. Their progress was confirmed despite a 1-0 defeat away to Union Saint-Gilloise, a result that eliminated the Belgian side but left Atalanta safely into the knockout play-offs.

Lookman started the match and played 51 minutes before being replaced by Kamaldeen Sulemana. His statistical contribution reflected a controlled but restrained attacking display, with one shot on target from an expected goals value of 0.01, alongside 14 accurate passes from 21 attempts.

He completed three dribbles, though only one was successful, and covered 48 metres in ball carries as Atalanta struggled to impose themselves.

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)

Raphael Onyedika delivered one of the most complete individual performances by a Nigerian player on the final matchday, anchoring Club Brugge’s midfield in their decisive win over Marseille.

The Belgian side sealed qualification with authority, finishing 19th on 10 points, while Marseille exited the competition.

Onyedika played the full match and dictated the tempo from central midfield, completing 32 of 36 passes at an accuracy rate of 89 per cent. His influence extended into both halves of the pitch, with 83 per cent accuracy on passes in the opposition half and 94 per cent in his own half.

Defensively, he registered seven contributions, including four tackles, two interceptions and nine recoveries, while contesting 15 ground duels.

Club Brugge’s progression owed much to their balance, and Onyedika’s composure and work rate typified their ability to control key moments under pressure.

Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)

Tella’s involvement in the Champions League group phase was limited by injury, but Bayer Leverkusen still progressed in his absence. The winger featured in just two matches, both as a substitute, accumulating 29 minutes across the campaign.

Leverkusen finished 16th on 12 points after a commanding final-day performance that secured the result they needed.

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)

Onyemaechi played a subtle yet significant role in Olympiacos’ qualification, which was sealed with a narrow victory that eliminated Ajax. The Greek champions finished 18th on 11 points, one ahead of both Galatasaray and Club Brugge.

Used primarily as a late tactical option, Onyemaechi was introduced in the 88th minute of the decisive match to protect the lead. In fewer than 10 minutes, he recorded a clearance, a recovery, won an aerial duel and completed all three of his passes, including two in the opposition half.

Across the group phase, the left-back made three appearances, all from the bench, totalling 56 minutes.

George Ilenikhena (Monaco)

Ilenikhena’s Champions League story this season has been framed by history as much as minutes played. The teenage forward became the youngest African player to reach 15 Champions League appearances, surpassing a record previously held by Kanu Nwankwo.

Monaco secured their place in the knockout play-offs by finishing 21st with 10 points, adding a draw on the final matchday. Ilenikhena was an unused substitute in the decisive fixture, but he featured in three matches during the group phase, including an appearance in Monaco’s heavy defeat to Real Madrid that took him past Kanu’s landmark at 19 years and 157 days.

Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague)

Ogbu’s UCL campaign with Slavia Prague ended at the group stage, but he still featured prominently as the Czech side completed their fixtures. Slavia were already eliminated before their final match, a 4-1 defeat away to Pafos, but Ogbu started and played 61 minutes.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 29, 2026

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