Lookman, Osimhen Lead Nigerian Stars Into Champions League Matchday Three

Nigerian football stars Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Christian Nwachukwu are set for UEFA Champions League action this week as the league phase continues, while LASK forward Moses Usor remains doubtful for Wednesday’s encounter against Sporting CP.

Lookman’s Atletico Madrid will visit Stuttgart on Tuesday at the MHPArena, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm Nigerian time. Atletico will be looking to maintain their impressive run after recovering from a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on matchday one.

The Spanish side have since won six consecutive matches, including a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last week, in which Lookman found the back of the net.

Stuttgart, however, will present a difficult challenge, having won their opening two league-phase matches with victories over Viking and Slovan Bratislava. The German side suffered a setback at the weekend, losing 1-0 to Hamburg.

Lookman has recorded two goal involvements in 11 appearances across competitions this season.

Elsewhere, Azerbaijan’s Sabah will host Borussia Dortmund in Baku at 5:45pm Nigerian time, hoping to build on their historic 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague last week, which marked their first Champions League win.

Sabah have won all five of their home matches in the competition, including qualifying fixtures, while Dortmund have struggled for consistency, going three matches without a win around the international break.

Nigerian youngster Christian Nwachukwu, 20, will be hoping for more involvement after joining Sabah from Sheffield United in August. He was part of the squad that defeated Slavia Prague and also featured in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Gabala.

Meanwhile, Slavia Prague, who have Nigerians Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Moses David and Samuel Isifie in their squad, will travel to face Fenerbahce at 5:45pm.

Both teams are seeking their first victory of the league phase. Slavia have lost to Lens and Sabah, while Fenerbahce recorded a 1-1 draw against Roma before suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Osimhen faces Lille test
On Wednesday, Osimhen’s Galatasaray will travel to France to face Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with kick-off scheduled for 5:45pm Nigerian time.

Galatasaray have endured a difficult start to their Champions League campaign, losing their opening two matches against Sporting CP and Barcelona despite taking the lead in both encounters.

Lille have also lost their first two European fixtures and will be looking to respond after drawing 1-1 with Brest in Ligue 1 at the weekend.

Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in Galatasaray’s 1-0 away victory over Gençlerbirliği on Saturday, with the decisive goal coming through a late own goal.

The Nigerian striker will be eager to help his side revive their European campaign with a positive result in France.
Usor doubtful as LASK travel to Sporting CP
Also on Wednesday, LASK will face Sporting CP in Lisbon, with Nigerian forward Moses Usor doubtful after missing last week’s match against Liverpool.

His compatriot Samuel Adeniran could feature in the encounter after scoring in LASK’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Austria Lustenau on Saturday.

Adeniran will hope to lead the attack if given the opportunity, as the Austrian side seek a positive result against Sporting.

With several Nigerian players involved across the fixtures, attention will be on Lookman and Osimhen in particular as they seek to make an impact on the European stage.