Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen headlines a group of Nigerian stars facing decisive battles to keep their clubs’ UEFA Champions League hopes alive as the group phase concludes on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen and Galatasaray are on the brink of elimination and must avoid a heavy defeat to remain in contention for a play-off spot. The task, however, is formidable, with the Turkish champions travelling to face Manchester City, who also need a victory to secure a top-eight finish.
Galatasaray currently sit 17th with 10 points from seven matches, a return that falls short of the club’s lofty European ambitions earlier voiced by Osimhen, who declared: “It’s time to make a statement in the most prestigious games.”
Despite the stakes, the 27-year-old remains confident ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.
“Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world. We’re going to play our game,” Osimhen said. “We’ll focus on the league first, then this match. It won’t be easy, but I trust my team. If we play like we did against Atletico, we can get something out of there.”
The reigning African Player of the Year has been in fine form in the competition, scoring six goals in five appearances, though Galatasaray’s fate remains uncertain.
Lookman chases top-eight finish
Atalanta, currently the last side in the top-eight conversation with 13 points and a +1 goal difference, must win away at Union Saint-Gilloise to keep their hopes alive. Their chances were dented by a 3–2 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao last week.
A loss would likely consign the Italian side to a play-off place, with their Belgian hosts also battling for qualification.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, fresh from an impressive outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has featured in six Champions League matches this season, contributing one goal and two assists.
Tella, Onyedika, Onyemaechi and Ilenikhena in contention
Nathan Tella and Bayer Leverkusen sit 20th with nine points and remain in the hunt for a play-off place. However, their poor goal difference means they may need more than a draw against Villarreal to advance.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Club Brugge are 27th with seven points and must beat Marseille to keep their top-24 hopes alive. Even then, they would require favourable results elsewhere. Onyedika has played a key role in Brugge’s campaign, registering one goal and one assist.
Although Bruno Onyemaechi has featured in only two matches this season, he could be involved as Olympiacos aim to secure a play-off place. The Greek side hold the final qualifying spot with eight points and need at least a draw away at Ajax, with goal difference and other results also coming into play.
George Ilenikhena faces a pivotal moment with Monaco, who sit 21st with nine points. Like Bayer Leverkusen, the French side must do better than a draw at home against Juventus due to their inferior goal difference.
The teenager recently made history by becoming the youngest African player to reach 15 Champions League appearances, surpassing Kanu Nwankwo’s long-standing record. Ilenikhena achieved the feat at 19 years and 157 days during Monaco’s heavy defeat to Real Madrid, eclipsing Kanu’s mark set in April 1996 at 19 years and 260 days.
