Six Nigerians will be on parade on Thursday as the first leg of round of 16 in the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa and Conference League, Sports247 reports.
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Three Nigerians will be on parade in the match between Fernabache and Rangers in one of the pick of the matches in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.
It’s a faceoff between Bright Osayi Samuel on one side, representing Feenache against Rangers Nigerian duo, of Leon Balogun and Cyril Desserts.
The match is slated for Instabul by 6;45 pm Nigerian time, on
Thursday.
Osayi, the defender is expected to make his ninth appearance of the season in the competition, same Cyril Dessers who has two goals for his effort.
Meanwhile, Leon Balogun has been on fringe side of things for Rangers with only one appearance in league.
He is one of few survivors left in the squad after their great run of 2022 where they reached the final of the UEFA Europa League. His experience might come handy in this crucial stage of the competition if he is called upon.
It’s another face off between two Nigerians, Rafiu Durosinmi and Fisayo Dele Basiru in the match between Victoria Plzen and Lazio in the UEFA Europa League.
Plzen will be banking on Rafiu Durosinmi towering presence upfront to continue their impressive home record in Europe on Thursday night, where they ve recorded good returns against sides like Eitrancht Frankfurt and Real Sociedad while maintaining 13 clean sheets in 15 home matches .
Lazio FC’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is on a 50-50 chance of making it into the starting squad after enduring a ankle injury having missed two of Lazio’s matches which include a 2-1 victory over AC Milan.
Another Nigerian player to watch out on Thursday is Bruno Onyemaechi.
The Super Eagle has a strong hold for Olympiakos and his contributions will be needed greatly when that face Bodo/Glimt by 9 pm tonight.
Bruno has been having a great time with Greek side since he made the switch in the January transfer window but he and his travelling teammates will have their hands full when they take on
Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle under a freezing condition later tonight.
The Norwegian side are a very strong playing at home, winning seven of their last eight European games while Olympiakos are in a good run of form going into this game, defeating arch rivals AEK Athens last weekend.
Besides their, great domestic form, Olympiakos is one of the best team of the group stage of the competition and the defending Champions is expected be a tough customer for the Norwegian side.
All the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Fixtures
Roma vs Athletic Club
Ajax vs Frankfurt
Bodø/Glimt vs Olympiacos
Viktoria Plzeň vs Lazio
Fenerbahçe vs Rangers
FCSB vs Lyon
Real Sociedad vs Manchester United
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham
