Locomotiv Moscow of Russia defender Bryan Idowu insists the team must be at their best to scale through from a tough Champions League group that has Italian giants, Juventus, Atletico Madrid of Spain and German club, Bayern Munich, reports Completesports.com.
”The group is very cool. It will be difficult to get out of it, so you need to make every effort,”Idowu who is part of Nigeria’s 24-man squad for next month’s friendly encounter against Ukraine told Locomotiv Moscow official website.
Aside from Idowu, a number of Nigerian players will also feature in the lucrative group stage of the competition.
Victor Osimhen’s Lille will face two former champions, Chelsea and Ajax Amsterdam in Group H. Valencia of Spain are the other team in the group.
David Okereke and Emmanuel Dennis’ Club Brugge of Belgium will be up against Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Galatasaray in Group A.
Peter Olayinka and his Slavia Prague’s teammates are pooled in Group F along with Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan
The duo of Paul Onuachu and Stephen Odey represents Nigeria interest in Group E, where Genk are grouped alongside Liverpool, Napoli and Salzburg.
Tyronne Ebuehi’s team, Benfica of Portugal are in group G along with Zenit, Lyon and RB Leipzig.
Former U-23 Eagles star Iyayi Atiemwien Believe will campaign with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb who are in Group C with Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City and Atalanta.
Group stage draw in full
Group A
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid
Club Brugge
Galatasaray
Group B
Bayern Munich
Tottenham
Olympiakos
Red Star Belgrade
Group C
Manchester City
Shakhtar Donetsk
Dinamo Zagreb
Atalanta
Group D
Juventus
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Lokomotiv Moscow
Group E
Liverpool
Napoli
Red Bull Salzburg
Genk
Group F
Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund
Inter Milan
Slavia Prague
Group G
Zenit
Benfica
Lyon
RB Leipzig
Group H
Chelsea
Ajax
Valencia
Lille
1 Comment
Good to see many Nigerian players playing in the Champions League this Season. With Idowu, Victor, Okereke, Dennis, Olayinka, Onuachu, Odey, Ebuehi, Iyayi and including Tammy brings the no. to 10. This is good news and all 10 can play for Nigeria as it stands. Out of the 10, 5 are already with the Super Eagles (Idowu, Victor, Okereke, Onuachu, Ebuehi) while others can join later if needed. Out of the 10, 8 plays as wingers or forwards while only 2 are defenders. Seems we produce more outstanding forwards than other positions.
Lets see who and who will make it to the next round, I will be supporting all of you. Go make us proud.