Osimhen others prepare for World Cup Qualification playoff with Champions League games

*Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. Photo by: Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images. Source: Getty Images*

By Ed Emeanua

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen leads compatriots in UEFA Champions League action in preparation of next month’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ) playoffs in Morocco.

Super Eagles face Gabon’s Panthers on November 13 in a semifinals Africa WCQ playoff. The winner of the clash then square up against the winner of the other semifinal clash between Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and DR Congo’s Les Léopards three days later in the final.

With no other international friendlies in line before the playoffs, players of all countries involved must make do with league and continental matches to stay in form.

For the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League season, Nigerian players are representing several clubs across Europe.

A plethora of Super Eagles are part of the initial squads, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Raphael Onyedika. Nigerians vying in the ongoing 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League included:

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray): A high-profile striker who joined the Turkish club in the summer of 2025.

Osimhen’s Galatasaray hosts Bodo Glimt Wednesday October 22 in a UCL fixture before taking on Ajax in Amsterdam on November 5 .

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta): The reigning African Player of the Year, he was included in Atalanta’s Champions League squad despite a difficult start to the 2025/2026 season.

Lookman’s Atalanta takes on Slavia Prague at home on October 22 before visiting Marseilles November 6 in scheduled UCL matchups.

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge): The midfielder has been a consistent presence for the Belgian club. He’s currently on recovery following a recent injury.

Bayern Munich hosts Club Brugge at the Allianz Arena Thursday, October 23. The Belgians then takes on Barcelona in another UCL date on November 6.

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos): A defender for the Greek giants. Spanish giants Barcelona hosts Olympiacos at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic Tuesday. The Greek team then hosts PSV Eindhoven on November 4 in another UCL schedule.

Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague): A center-back who was initially injured for the start of the campaign but was included in the squad. After Slavia Prague’s visit to Atlanta on Wednesday, the Slavs then take on Arsenal at home on November 4.

David Moses (Slavia Prague): A midfielder for the Czech side.

Vince Osuji (Club Brugge): Another Nigerian defender in the Belgian club’s squad same as Onyedika. See Club Brugge’s UCL fixtures above.

George Ilenikhena (AS Monaco): The young forward scored a winning goal for the French club early in the competition. Tottenham comes calling on Wednesday in Monaco’s principality in the French giants next UCL date. Another UCL tie then awaits Ilenikhena’s Monaco at the Norwegian side’s Aspmyra Stadium fortress on November 4.

Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen): The forward is part of the squad for the German champions. On Tuesday, Nathan’s Leverkusen hosts French giants PSG at the Bay Arena before visiting Benfica’s Estádio da Luz on November 4 in another UCL fixture.