Soccer
The group stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season concluded on Wednesday, and some Nigerian players were involved in the action, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eighteen games were played across different centers in Europe simultaneously, as the continent’s elite slugged it out to seal a berth in the knockout rounds.
Some of Nigeria’s biggest stars played for their teams, and all but one of them progressed. However, none of them made the top eight for automatic qualification to the round of 16. They finished between 9th and 24th, which means they will all participate in the round of 16 playoffs.
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— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 28, 2026
In this article, Soccernet.ng spotlights the five Nigerian players you will see in the knockout rounds of the 2025/26 Champions League.
1. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Going into the final matchday, Galatasaray was in one of the playoff spots, but they needed to get a result against Manchester City to be assured of their progression to the next round.
However, they lost 2-0 to the Manchester giants. Victor Osimhen tested goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma three times, but he could not breach the Italian’s goal.
Fortunately for them, the results in other centers went in their favor, and they finished 20th in the rankings.
2. Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)
The Super Eagles star was an 87th-minute substitute for his side in their final group stage game against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
They were outside the playoff spots before that fixture and needed to win to stand a chance of sneaking into the top 24.
Things eventually panned out nicely for them, as goals from Gelson Martins and Santiago Hezze sealed the win for the Greek champions.
Bruno Onyemaechi will be hoping that his side gets a good draw in the playoffs, as that will give them a strong shot at making it to the next round.
3. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Club Brugge was another team that was able to sneak into the playoff spots by virtue of its final-day win. They claimed an unprecedented 3-0 win over Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who has been a key player for the club, was in action and played the full 90 minutes for his side.
4. George Ilenikhena (Monaco)
George Ilenikhena and his Monaco side qualified for the Champions League round of 16 playoffs after a goalless draw at home to Juventus. That point proved crucial, as anything less would have seen them finish way below their eventual 21st-place finish.
Ilenikhena did not feature, though; he watched the entire 90 minutes from the bench.
5. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman and his Atalanta side suffered a 1-0 loss at Royale Union SG on Wednesday.
A win for them would have taken them up to 16 points and 9th place in the standings, narrowly missing out on the automatic qualification spots due to goal difference. However, with 13 points, they finished 15th.
Ademola Lookman played for them on Wednesday but was taken off in the 51st minute.
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