As battle for selection for World Cup Qualification playoff gathers steam
By Ed Emeanua
Nigeria manager Éric Chelle had scouts out all over European arenas with eyes set on monitoring Nigerians stars on parade on continental Club fixtures.
It was just as well, as Nigerians used this week’s continental club window to audition for selection for next month’s crucial World Cup Qualification (WCQ) playoff against Gabon’s Panthers.
Nigeria will clash with Gabon in the first semifinal pairing for CAF/FIFA WCQ playoff on November 13 in Morocco.
The winner of that match then takes on the victor in the second semifinal involving Cameroon and DR Congo three days later in the epic final. Both semifinal games take place same day.
As Chelle gears up to announce his selection, probable Super Eagles are already auditioning for these high-stakes games.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a first ever consecutive Champions League victory against Norwegians Bodø Glimt midweek at Rams Park Stadyumu, Istanbul city, Türkiye.
The lanky forward scored twice in the first half (3′, 33′) helping Cim-Bom to a 3-1 home UCL victory.
His effort offered inspirational spurt for compatriots in UEFA Championship actions accross Europe in preparation for next month’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ) playoffs in Morocco.
With no international friendlies lined up before the playoffs, players of countries involved in the mini-championship are forced to audition for international duty selection through Club league and continental matches.
Osimhen’s Galatasaray visits Ajax in Amsterdam on November 5 in their next UCL fixture.
Lookman, Atalanta’s reigning African Player of the Year, has played his way into the heart of the Serie A giants, starring in the 0-0 draw with visitors Slavia Prague.
Missing in the away action at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia for Sešívaní (The Sewn-Ups) was Nigeria Center back Igoh Ogbu (Injury sideline: Muscle Strain). Compatriot and Midfielder David Moses, was in the starting lineup for the Czech Republic side. He was substituted in the 68′.
Lookman’s Atalanta next visits Marseilles on November 6 in a scheduled UCL matchup as the Czech side hosts Arsenal at the Fortuna Stadium (Stadion Eden) on November 4.
Club Brugge Midfielder Raphael Onyedika was not available (Injury sideline: Hamstring) for selection against Bayern Munich Wednesday, with compatriot, defender Vince Osuji, not in the lineup.
Bayern pummeled the ‘Brugeois’ army to pulp 4-0 at the Allianz Arena Wednesday with goals from Lennart Karl 4′, Harry Kane 14′, Luis Diaz 34′ and Nicolas Jackson 79′. Brugge takes on Barcelona in their next UCL date on November 6.
Nigeria left wing back Bruno Onyemaechi marked his first UCL appearance for Greek champions Olympiacos against Spanish giants Barcelona in an away fixture at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic Tuesday.
The Nigerian featured in the game for 37 minutes. Overall, the match was a nightmarish trip for “Thrylos” (The Legend) with a 6-1 hammering.
Barca goals came by Fermín López – 7′, 38′, 76′, Lamine Yamal – 68′ Pen and Marcus Rashford – 74′, 79′. The visitor’s consolation goal was scored by Ayoub El Kaabi – 53′ Pen with Thrylos’ defensive midfielder Santiago Hezze – 57′ given the marching orders with a red card booking.
The Greek team next hosts PSV Eindhoven on November 4 in another UCL schedule.
Monaco young forward George Ilenikhena failed to score as his French club battled to a 0-0 stalemate against visiting Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday at the Stade Louis II in their UCL date. The next UCL fixture for Ilenikhena’s Monaco comes up at the Norwegian side Bodø Glimt‘s Aspmyra Stadium fortress on November 4.
Nathan Tella was not listed due to a knee injury as his Bayer Leverkusen lost 2-7 to visiting PSG at the Bay Arena with goals from Willian Pacho – 7′, Désiré Doué – 41′, 45’+3′, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 44′, Nuno Mendes – 50′, Ousmane Dembélé – 66′, Vitinha – 90′.
Aleix García – 38′ Pen, 54′ scored twice to reduce the tally for the home side in an encounter the home side’s Robert Andrich – 33′ was red carded and Illia Zabarnyi – 37′ also received the referee’s marching order.
Leverkusen visits Benfica’s Estádio da Luz on November 4 in their upcoming UCL fixture.
