AFCON 2025
Nine Super Eagles players are set to feature in the UEFA Europa League this week as the 2026/27 league phase gets underway.
UEFA confirmed the full league-phase fixtures on Monday, with the competition kicking off on Wednesday, September 16 and running until January 28, 2027.
All nine Nigerian players are part of clubs that made the 36-team league phase, giving Nigeria representation across nine different European countries.
Samuel Chukwueze leads the list at AC Milan, where he has made a strong start to the new Serie A season following his return from a loan spell at Fulham. Milan begin their European campaign at home against Benfica on Wednesday.
Wilfred Ndidi is also expected to feature in the competition with Beşiktaş. The Super Eagles captain has been carefully managed after a pre-season injury and has seen limited league action so far. Beşiktaş host Marseille on Thursday in one of the standout fixtures for Nigerian fans.
That game could see Ndidi face compatriot Tochukwu Nnadi, although the Marseille midfielder is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Nnadi, who joined the French club in February, is not expected to return before the international break.
Bruno Onyemaechi will represent Olympiacos, who face Jagiellonia on Wednesday. The Nigerian left-back has been a regular for the Greek side since joining from Boavista in 2025.
In Hungary, Bamidele Yusuf will lead the Nigerian contingent at Ferencváros. The forward, also known as Dele, has already found the net in European competition this season and will hope to continue his scoring form when Fradi visit Celtic on Thursday.
Papa Daniel is another Nigerian attracting attention after helping Celje win the Slovenian league following his move from Niger Tornadoes. Celje face Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in another Nigerian-on-Nigerian fixture.
Nathan Tella, however, is expected to miss the meeting after suffering muscular problems. The Nigeria international is not expected back until October.
Two young Nigerians will also be looking to make their mark in the competition. Seun Akanji, 18, joined Lillestrøm from Sporting Lagos during the summer and has already featured in Europa League qualifying. Lillestrøm host Torreense on Thursday.
Salim Fago Lawal completes the list at Viktoria Plzeň. The forward joined the Czech club in January 2026 as a record signing following his involvement with Nigeria at AFCON 2025.
The opening round therefore features two particularly intriguing Nigerian matchups: Ndidi’s Beşiktaş against Nnadi’s Marseille and Tella’s Leverkusen against Papa Daniel’s Celje.
With eight league-phase matches guaranteed for every club, the Europa League will provide another platform for the Super Eagles contingent to gain valuable European experience, although injuries and squad rotation could limit some players’ involvement in the opening weeks.
