UEL playoff draw: Osimhen, Osayi-Samuel learn their opponents

Soccer

Super Eagles duo Victor Osimhen and Bright Osayi-Samuel have discovered their next opponents in the UEFA Europa League playoff round following the official draw, Soccernet.ng reports.

The playoff draw has seen Super Eagles stars Osimhen, Osayi-Samuel, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Bruno Onyemaechi all discover their opponents for an exciting fixture.

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Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, will lead the Turkish giants against AZ Alkmaar, while Osayi-Samuel’s Fenerbahce take on Anderlecht in a crucial knockout tie.

Soccer Super Eagles and Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Goztepe at Rams Park Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

Playoff Knockout Fixtures

The teams placed 9th to 24th will battle in the playoff knockout round, with the winners progressing to the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Dessers’ Rangers will have to wait to face one of FC Twente, Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, or Bodo/Glimt in the next round. Onyemaechi’s Olympiacos also awaits a clash against one of the same four teams in the Round of 16.

The key fixtures include:

Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente
Anderlecht vs Fenerbahce (Osayi-Samuel)
FCSB vs PAOK
Ajax vs Royale Union SG
Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland
Galatasaray (Osimhen) vs AZ Alkmaar
AS Roma vs Porto
Plzen vs Ferencvaros

Soccer Bright Osayi Samuel
Bright Osayi Samuel L of Fenerbahce and Funsho Bamgboye R of Hatayspor battle for the ball during the Turkish Super League match between Fenerbahce and Hatayspor [Photo credit/Imago]

Possible Round of 16 Fixture

The winners of the playoff ties will move into the UEL Round of 16, where they will be drawn against teams that have already secured qualification.

Lazio (Dele-Bashiru) vs AS Roma, Plzen, Ferencvaros, or Porto
Athletic Club vs AS Roma, Plzen, Ferencvaros, or Porto
Manchester United vs AZ, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad, or Galatasaray (Osimhen)
Tottenham vs AZ, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad, or Galatasaray (Osimhen)
Frankfurt vs Royale Union SG, PAOK, FCSB, or Ajax
Lyon vs Royale Union SG, PAOK, FCSB, or Ajax
Olympiacos (Onyemaechi) vs FC Twente, Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, or Bodo/Glimt
Rangers (Dessers) vs FC Twente, Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, or Bodo/Glimt

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