Osimhen absent as Galatasaray slip
Several Nigerian players were involved, while others watched from the bench, as the UEFA Champions League continued with matchday five on Tuesday, 25 November.
Tella features as Leverkusen shock Manchester City
Nathan Tella made a late appearance as Bayer Leverkusen claimed one of the standout results of this season’s competition, defeating Manchester City 2–0 at the Etihad Stadium.
The Super Eagles winger, who recently returned from a long injury break, was introduced for the final eight minutes as the Bundesliga side executed a masterclass in organisation and counter-attacking.
By the time Tella came on, the job had already been done.
Leverkusen struck first through captain Álex Grimaldo, who smashed in a superb finish in the 23rd minute to silence the home crowd. Early in the second half, Patrik Schick climbed highest to head in the second, rounding off a clinical away performance and leaving Guardiola’s men searching for answers as their group-stage campaign stutters.
No Osimhen, no party: Galatasaray fall to Akinpelu-inspired Union SG
Galatasaray felt the absence of Victor Osimhen as they slipped to a 1–0 loss against Union Saint-Gilloise at RAMS Park.
The Nigerian forward, sidelined with a thigh injury, had scored six goals in his previous three Champions League outings and had been central to Gala’s run of three consecutive wins. Without him, even with Mauro Icardi leading the line, the Turkish champions lacked cutting edge.
Instead, the decisive moment came from Promise David Akinpelu – a player of Nigerian descent – who netted in the 37th minute to hand the Belgian side the victory.
Akinpelu, a former Nigeria U23 international who now represents Canada at senior level, has now scored twice in this season’s competition.
Chukwuemeka features in Dortmund’s emphatic win
At Signal Iduna Park, Carney Chukwuemeka came off the bench as Borussia Dortmund swept aside Villarreal with a commanding 4–0 victory.
Dortmund were already out of sight by the time the midfielder entered the pitch in the 68th minute, thanks to a double from Serhou Guirassy and a composed finish from Germany’s Karim Adeyemi, who has Nigerian roots. Daniel Svensson later added a fourth, with Dortmund even missing two second-half penalties.
Chukwuemeka shared the stage with other players of Nigerian heritage: Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha for Dortmund, and Canadian-Nigerian striker Tani Oluwaseyi, who played the full match for Villarreal.
Chelsea outclass Barcelona; Ogbu back in Slavia squad
Chelsea eased to a straightforward 3–0 win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Estevão, Liam Delap and an own goal by Jules Koundé.
Super Eagles prospect Tosin Adarabioyo remained unused, while 19-year-old Tyrique George, eligible for Nigeria, Ghana, and England, made a late appearance.
In Prague, Slavia were held to a 0–0 draw by Athletic Bilbao. Nigeria international Igoh Ogbu, newly recovered from injury, stayed on the bench, while compatriot David Moses completed the full match in another solid display that has reportedly caught the eye of Nigeria manager Eric Chelle.
More Nigerians set for action on Wednesday
Wednesday brings further Nigerian involvement.
George Ilenikhena’s Monaco visit Pafos FC, while Ademola Lookman is expected to spearhead Atalanta’s attack against Eintracht Frankfurt, with young defender Honest Ahanor tipped to start.
Bruno Onyemaechi and Olympiacos host Real Madrid in Piraeus, and Sporting CP face Club Brugge, who will again rely on Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika in a meeting of two adventurous sides.
