Nigerian stars chasing titles, battling relegation in Europe

 

As the football season in Europe reaches its climax, Nigerian stars find themselves at the forefront of both triumph and adversity. From vying for prestigious league titles to fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation, these athletes showcase their resilience and talent on the grand stage of European football.

Title chasers

Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella (Leverkusen)

Boniface and Tella are still on a high after recently claiming the German Bundesliga title, the first-ever for Bayer Leverkusen in their 120-year history in the German top-flight.

The duo were a part of the squad as Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run this season to 46 in all competitions on Saturday.

Both Nigerian forwards are still in line to win a historic treble after reaching the DFB Pokal final and the Europa League semi-finals. Die Werkself will face off against Roma in the Europa semi-finals on May 2 and 9 while the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern is set for May 25.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

Lookman is on course for a double trophy haul with Atalanta this season. While fighting for an European spot in the Serie A, the Italian side have secured a spot in the Coppa Italia final and the Europa League semi-finals.

Lookman was instrumental as he delivered a goal and an assist in extra time during their 4-1 win over Fiorentina in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-finals game on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old and his side will face Marseille in the Europa League semis on May 2 and 9 while they will battle Juventus in the Cup final on May 15.

Cyriel Dessers, Leon Balogun (Rangers)

Nigerian forward Dessers and defender Balogun are also chasing a double haul in Scotland with the league and the Cup still to play for.

Dessers scored a brace in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup against Hearts last Sunday to send the Gers into the final of the competition where they will face eternal rivals Celtic United.

With just five league games to wrap up the season, Rangers are three points behind Celtic who they will also battle in the Scottish Cup final on May 25.

Gift Orban (Olympique Lyon)

After joining the French giants in January, Orban is already close to winning a first title with Olympique Lyonnais as they are set for a French Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on May 25.

In Lyon’s thrilling Coupe de France semi-final clash against Valenciennes on April 2nd, Orban stole the spotlight just three minutes after being subbed on.

Facing a determined Valenciennes side, Lyon needed a spark to secure their spot in the final. Captain Lacazette had already given Lyon the lead with two goals, but it was Orban who put the game to bed with a decisive strike, sealing a commanding 3-0 victory.

Zaidu Sanusi (Porto) Cup

Although denied a chance to win the Liga Portugal trophy for the second season in a row, defender Zaidu is still in contention to win the Portuguese Cup as Porto will face rivals Sporting Lisbon on May 26.

Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)

Having secured promoton to the Premier League after Leeds United were thumped by Queens Park Rangers, Ndidi and Iheanacho can now claim the Championship title on Monday with victory at Preston.

The Foxes remain on track to amass 100 points on their way back to the top flight following their relegation last season with 94 points from 44 games and with two games left to play.

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)

Osayi-Samuel is still in the fight for the Turkish Super Lig title this season with Fenerbahce four points behind leaders Galatasaray and four games left to play in the top-flight this season.

Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)

Also in Turkey, Onuachu is set for a chance at glory in the Turkish Cup after a first-leg 3-2 win over Fatih Karamguruk on the semi-finals. The second leg will be played on May 8 away at the Ataturk Olympic stadium with the winner moving on to the final on May 23 against the winner of Besiktas vs Ankaragucu.

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge

Onyedika has fully emerged as a rock in the Brugge midfield as the Belgian side are on course for a first-ever European trophy this season. Club Brugge are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference where they will clash with Fiorentina across two legs on May 2 and May 9.

Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)

Olayinka will be keen to help Red Star Belgrade secure the Serbian Super League title with the side already 10 points clear off the opposition with 31 games played in the season.

Tochi Chukwuani (Sturm Graz) League

21-year-old Chukwuani could win his first title in his professional career this season as Sturm Graz are three points ahead of their closest opposition RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Alhassan Yusuf, Chidera Ejuke, and George Ilenikhena (Royal Antwerp)

The Nigerian trio could celebrate with other domestic cup winners in May as they gear up for a final clash against Union Saint-Gilloise on May 9.

Relegation battlers

No fewer than eight Nigeria players are in danger of being relegated from topflight football in Europe’s top leagues.

Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Gabriel Osho, Elijah Adebayo, Maduka Okoye, Isaac Success, Kingsley Ehizibue and Ezekiel Henty are some of the player in Europe who risk being demoted to the second tier leagues if their respective teams have no incredible turnaround in the remaining games left to play.

With three games to play in the English Premier League, the hopes of Nottingham Forest (who have the duo Aina and Awoniyi) avoiding relegation hangs in the balance.

The Reds find themselves in a precarious position, sitting just one point above the dreaded dotted line.

And with the Sheffield United already relegated, it looks like being a fight between the Reds, Burnley and Luton Town for the other two relegation spots.

As things stand, data analysts Opta say Forest have the best chance of survival out of that pack. They say Nuno’s men have a 35.78 per cent chance of relegation, while the Hatters have a 71.70 per cent chance of going down and Burnley’s is put at 92.46 per cent.

Opta say that across their season simulations undertaken after the midweek fixtures, the Reds averaged 30 points in the final reckoning – taking four points from their final four matches. They face a tall order to claim any of those points against Manchester City on Sunday (today).

For Luton Town, their quest to stay in English topflight further hit following their 2-1 loss to Wolves on Saturday.

The Hatters have in their ranks Osho and Adebayo who have been pivotal in the club’s top-flight campaign.

Adebayo who returned to action after 11 weeks out due to a hamstring injury in the encounter against Wolves on Saturday – his first since February is Luton’s joint top scorer with Calton Morris in the Premier League this season with nine goals in 24 league appearances.

Victorious only once in their last 14 league outings, Luton remain a point adrift of safety in 18th, one fewer than 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who host Manchester City on Sunday (today).

Osho on his part has helped Luton record two clean sheets, four wins and four draws so far in the EPL. The 26-year-old has played 18 the Hatters scoring twice from his defensive positions.

In the Serie A, the trio Okoye, Ehizibue and Success could also go down with Udinese if the Zebrette’s performances don’t improve. The Zebrette are one of the six teams trying to avoid two relegation places alongside Serie B-bound Salernitana.

Currently 18th in the Italian league table with 28 points from 33 games, Udinese have failed to win in their last five game (losing four and drawing one).

Another loss for Udinese away to Bologna on Sunday at the Dall’Ara stadium where they have not won in their last five visits, further imperils the side who have had a  dismal 2023/24 campaign.