Twelve Nigerian players are expected to feature for their respective clubs on Thursday as the Europa League and Conference League playoff rounds get underway across Europe.
With places in the league phase at stake, the players will be looking to help their teams secure favourable results in the first legs.
Europa League
Paul Onuachu – Trabzonspor
Onuachu is expected to lead Trabzonspor’s attack when they welcome Ferencvaros to Papara Park. The Nigerian striker finished last season as one of the Turkish Super Lig’s joint-leading scorers with 22 goals and will be important to Trabzonspor’s hopes of establishing an advantage before the second leg in Budapest.
Wilfred Ndidi – Beşiktaş
Ndidi is set to provide the defensive shield in Beşiktaş’s midfield against Kauno Zalgiris. The Turkish club have kept four consecutive clean sheets in European qualifying, and the Nigerian midfielder’s defensive work will be crucial as they seek a comfortable first-leg victory.
Francis Uzoho – Omonia Nicosia
Uzoho is expected to start in goal for Omonia when they visit Sint-Truiden. The Cypriot champions have conceded only twice in four European matches this season, with the Nigerian goalkeeper playing an important role in that defensive record.
Salim Fago Lawal – Viktoria Plzen
Lawal faces a difficult assignment with Viktoria Plzen against Red Star Belgrade at the Stadion Rajko Mitic. Plzen have made a slow start domestically, while Red Star enter the encounter in impressive form after winning their last three league matches by a combined 10-1 scoreline.
Bamidele Yusuf – Ferencvaros
Yusuf will be involved for Ferencvaros as they travel to Trabzonspor. The Hungarian champions remain unbeaten away from home in this season’s qualifying campaign and will look to secure another positive result before returning home for the second leg.
Conference League
Zadok Yohanna – Brighton
Yohanna is expected to be part of Brighton’s squad for their trip to Tromso. The English side enter their first Conference League fixture after a productive pre-season and will be seeking an advantage ahead of the return leg.
Tolu Arokodare – Ajax
Arokodare could provide an attacking boost for Ajax when they face Sion in Switzerland. Ajax are unbeaten in six games under Michel but have drawn their last two matches, while Sion arrive in strong scoring form.
Emmanuel Fernandez – Rangers
Fernandez is set to feature for Rangers against Jablonec at Ibrox. Rangers moved into the Conference League after their Europa League qualifying exit but go into Thursday’s game with renewed confidence following a 5-1 Scottish League Cup victory over St Mirren.
Taofeek Ismaheel – Gornik Zabrze
Ismaheel could feature when Gornik Zabrze host Monaco. The Polish club have struggled in European qualifying this season but have avoided defeat in their last four competitive home games and will hope to use that record to their advantage.
Ibrahim Said – Motherwell
Said and Motherwell welcome Freiburg to Fir Park. Motherwell have scored at least twice in nine of their last 11 European matches and will hope the Nigerian forward can contribute as they attempt to take a first-leg advantage.
Adebisi Olamikun – SC Braga
Olamikun is in line to feature for Braga against Austria Vienna. Braga have been particularly strong defensively during qualifying, keeping clean sheets in all four of their matches, and will aim to continue that run on home soil.
Ibrahim Buhari – Austria Vienna
Buhari will be on the opposing side when Austria Vienna travel to Braga. The Austrian club have won four competitive away matches this season, including both of their Conference League qualifying fixtures, giving them confidence ahead of their trip to Portugal.