These Nigerian players have won the Champions League

Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal will take on Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday April 27, 2022 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie.

The Super Eagles winger’s goal propelled the Yellow Submarines to their first semi-final appearance since 2006.

Unai Emery’s side come against a fierce Liverpool side who will put them to the test.

The Europa league winners will have to prove to the footballing world that their triumph against Italian giants Juventus and six time winners Bayern Munich was no fluke.

From the Nigerian perspective, can Samuel Chukwueze join the Hall of Fame of Super Eagles who have won Europe’s elite competition.

Let’s look at four Super Eagles stars who have won the UEFA Champions League

Finidi Goerge

He won the Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam in 1995 when they defeated Mighty AC Milan by a lone goal courtesy Patrick Kluivert’s goal.
The midfielder’s strike against Bayern Munich in the semi-final propelled Ajax to the grand finale and they ended up as ultimate winners.

Nwankwo Kanu

Like his Nigerian compatriot, Kanu was part and parcel of the Ajax Amsterdam team that defeated AC Milan to win the Champions League in 1995. He was often deployed as a second half substitute.

Taribo West

Arguably the best defender Nigeria has ever seen, Taribo West helped Inter Milan to win the UEFA cup in 1997/98 season.
Inter Milan were 3-0 victors against their Serie A counterparts Lazio.

Mikel Obi

The ex-Chelsea midfielder was the last Super Eagle star to win the UEFA Champions League.
’The Blues’ defeated Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalty shoot outs to win their first Champions League title in 2012 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Can Samuel Chukwueze be the fifth Super Eagles star to win the coveted Champions League?

Villarreal faces a daunting prospect as they come against the high flying Liverpool over two legs and qualification to the grand finale will see them take on either Manchester City or thirteen times champions Real Madrid.