Izuchukwu OkosiPrime Business Africa presents a roundup of the Nigerian players who featured for their respective clubs or were not in action in the UEFA Europa and Conference League on Thursday night.
Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, Ken Izekor {Bayer Leverkusen}
Super Eagles duo of Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella were in action at the London stadium where it ended 1-1 against West Ham United in the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinals fixture.
While Tella played for 90 minutes, Boniface came off the bench in the 46th minute in place of Czech Republic forward, Patrik Schik.
There was a youngster of Nigerian descent on the substitute bench, Ken Izekor, who would wait for his team chances.
The German Bundesliga champions-elect thus created a record of having not been beaten in 44 matches and in any competition since May 2023.
Samuel Chukwueze {AC Milan}
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze was in action for 90 minutes but did not get on the scoresheet in the all Italian quarterfinals clash against capital club, AS Roma as the latter won 2-1 at the Olimpico di Roma.
The Giallorossi scored two goals through Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala, but Matteo Gabbia scored a consolation in the 85th minute to reduce the arrears.
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Ademola Lookman {Atalanta}
Serie A side Atalanta lost 1-0 at the Bergamo on Thursday but advanced to the semifinals of the Europa League courtesy of their 3-0 first leg win at Anfield in the first leg to qualify 3-1 on aggregate.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was introduced in the 79th minute of the game albeit he could not get on the scoresheet for the sixth-placed Serie A team in the Italian topflight.
The former Leicester City, Fulham and RB Leipzig star is cleared to face Marseille in the semifinals after his two yellow cards have been wiped and thus faces no further disciplinary issues.
Bright Osayi-Samuel {Fenerbahçe}
Super Eagles right back Bright Osayi-Samuel who recently was involved in a bust up with rival fans played from start to finish as Fernabahce lost via penalties to Wiliam Troost-Ekong’s Olympiakos at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi.
Olympiakos goalkeeper Tzolakis was another goalkeeping hero as he made a hat-trick of saves to ensure the Greek are through to the semifinals where they have in waiting Aston Villa.
In the shootout, Olympiakos goalkeeper Tzolakis made a hat-trick of saves to send the Greek club through to the last four where they will face Aston Villa.
Tom Iruegbunam {Aston Villa}
Aston Villa became the only English side to reach the semifinals of any European competition this season on Thursday as the Birmingham-based side beat LOSC Lille 4-3 via the penalty kick at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The game was heading to a 2-0 win which could have knocked out Unai Emery’s side out of the tournament but right back Matty Cash snapped a late goal to force the spot kick.
Iruegbunam was an unused substitute in the game which saw goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez emerge the Man of the Match after his two-saving heroics in the kicks.
Michael Kayode {Fiorentina}
Super Eagles eligible defender Kayode was an unused sub on Thursday night as Fiorentina required an extra time to beat FC Viktoria Plzen at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Italian U-21 international, Kayode has been touted to be in the thoughts of the Italian selectors for the Azurris but is yet to reach that milestone.
Nigerian players were were on duty for their clubs in the Europa League and Conference League on Thursday and Prime Business presents the roundup
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
