Nigerians face domestic cup clashes in Europe
Nigerian players will be in action across Europe’s major domestic cup competitions this week as they chase glory with their respective clubs in quarter-final and semi-final clashes, PETER AKINBO writes
SPAIN
In Spain’s Copa del Rey, Christantus Uche will hope to help Getafe cause an upset when they visit Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday. The Nigerian forward, who has netted twice and provided two assists in 22 La Liga appearances this season, faces an Atletico side seeking their 11th Copa trophy.
Getafe enter the contest in solid form, unbeaten in their last six matches, including creditable results against Barcelona and Real Sociedad. Manager Jose Bordalas’s side hasn’t lost since December 21, showing remarkable improvement that has lifted them clear of relegation trouble. However, they haven’t beaten Atletico since November 2011 in La Liga meetings, though this will be their first Copa del Rey clash since January 2013.
On Thursday, Umar Sadiq and Valencia host Barcelona in another quarter-final tie. The Nigerian striker, who has found the net once in four appearances since returning from injury, will aim to help Los Che’s cup ambitions against a Barcelona side that has struggled recently in La Liga with just one win in eight games.
Valencia, traditionally one of Spain’s giants, have shown improvement under new coach Carlos Corberán, recently beating Real Sociedad and pushing both Real Madrid and Sevilla to the limit. They’ll hope to capitalize on Barcelona’s domestic inconsistency despite the Catalans’ impressive Champions League form.
ITALY
In Italy’s Coppa Italia, African Footballer of The Year Ademola Lookman will miss Atalanta’s quarter-final clash with Bologna on Tuesday due to a knee injury sustained in training. The 27-year-old forward, who has scored 14 goals and provided six assists this season, could be out for up to a month according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
His absence is a significant blow for Atalanta as they seek to reach the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive season. The Bergamo club have been runners-up in two of the last four editions and had been in impressive form with Lookman leading their attack in both Serie A and European competitions.
Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze and AC Milan welcome Roma to San Siro on Wednesday in what promises to be the tie of the round. The Nigerian winger has impressed in cup competitions this season with two goals in one Coppa Italia appearance, adding to his overall tally of four goals and one assist in 25 matches across all competitions. Milan’s last Coppa Italia success came almost 22 years ago, and they’ll be eager to improve their record in the competition after last season’s quarter-final exit to Atalanta.
GERMANY
The DFB-Pokal quarter-finals see Frank Onyeka’s Augsburg visit high-flying Stuttgart on Tuesday. The Nigerian midfielder, who has registered two assists in 19 appearances this term, will look to help his side reach their first semi-final since 2010. Stuttgart enter the match as favorites having won their last three meetings with Augsburg, including a 1-0 league victory in January.
Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen host rivals FC Köln on Wednesday, with Nigerian duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella hoping to extend their impressive cup form. Boniface has nine goals and one assist in 16 appearances this season, while Tella’s winner against Bayern Munich in the last round helped eliminate the record champions. The derby promises to be particularly intense given recent history between the clubs, including controversy over Florian Wirtz’s transfer and subsequent fan incidents.
BELGIUM
The Belgian Cup semi-finals pit Tolu Arokodare’s Genk against Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge in a delicately poised tie. After Brugge’s 2-1 first-leg victory, Arokodare who has scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 24 games will aim to help Genk overturn the deficit against Onyedika and his Brugge teammates. Both Nigerians have been instrumental in their teams’ cup runs this season.
FRANCE
In France’s Coupe de France round of 16, new Lille signing Chuba Akpom could make his debut against Nord rivals Dunkerque on Tuesday. The Nigerian-born striker, who joined on loan from Ajax after scoring eight goals this season including four in the Europa League, arrives as backup for prolific Canadian Jonathan David.
The striker’s arrival strengthens Les Dogues’ push for silverware as they remain unbeaten in 12 home matches across all competitions.
ENGLAND
The FA Cup fourth round features several Nigerian players in action this weekend. Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester visit Manchester United on Friday, though the midfielder’s participation remains uncertain as he returns from injury.
Saturday sees Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey’s Fulham host Wigan Athletic, while Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu’s Southampton welcome Burnley to St Mary’s Stadium. The Saints duo enter the tie in good form after both scoring in their recent Premier League victory over Ipswich. Jamilu Collins rounds off Nigerian involvement when his Cardiff City side travel to face Stoke City.
TURKEY
The Turkish Cup group stages continue with Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray facing Boluspor in Group C on Thursday, while Bright Osayi-Samuel’s Fenerbahce meet Erzurum FK in Group B action on Wednesday.
The week ahead presents opportunities for Nigeria’s European contingent to advance their teams’ domestic cup ambitions, with several intriguing match-ups that could see them move closer to securing silverware this season. Their involvement across multiple competitions underscores the growing influence of Nigerian players in European football’s prestigious cup tournaments.
