Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / Slavia Prague & Sabah FC (Original images from PunchNG report)
UCL: Ogbu, Nwachukwu Headline Nigerian Stars In Opening Night Fixtures
Nigerian duo Igoh Ogbu and Christian Nwachukwu are set to lead the country’s charge on Thursday night as the league phase of the UEFA Champions League kicks off, with Prosper Obah also in action.

Centre-back Igoh Ogbu is expected to marshal the defence for Czech champions Slavia Prague when they host French side Lens at the Fortuna Arena.

The 25-year-old, who joined Slavia in January 2023, has become known for his physicality, strong tackling and aerial dominance – attributes Slavia will need against a Lens side that finished as Ligue 1 runners-up last season and won the Coupe de France in May. Slavia head into the tie in good form, unbeaten domestically with 17 points from 7 league games.

For Slavia, Ogbu is not alone. Fellow Nigerians Samuel Isife, Mubarak Suleiman and David Moses are also part of the squad as the Czech side look to end a 19-match winless run in the competition.

In England, 20-year-old winger Christian Nwachukwu will be looking to continue his breakthrough season when Azerbaijani champions Sabah travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

Nwachukwu, praised for his pace and direct 1v1 ability, already wrote his name into Sabah’s history books after scoring a decisive goal in their play-off win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva – the result that secured the club’s first-ever qualification for the Champions League league phase. Sabah arrive in Manchester on the back of a 5-0 win over Zira, having won six of their eight Champions League qualifying games with four clean sheets.

Elsewhere, at the Philips Stadion, winger Prosper Obah will hope to feature for Shakhtar Donetsk against PSV Eindhoven. Comfortable on either flank, Obah offers quick feet and creativity, but faces a stern test against a PSV side that has won the Eredivisie title in each of the last three seasons.

Source: Punch Newspapers –