Sportblits.com presents a full round-up of the UEFA Europa League and Europa Conference League semifinal first legs featuring players eligible to play for Nigeria.
Europa League
City Ground, Nottingham:
Super Eagles right-back Ola Aina was named in the starting lineup as Nottingham Forest edged Aston Villa 1-0.
Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after Lucas Digne handled inside the box.
However, Ola Aina went down in visible discomfort with 15 minutes remaining. After on-pitch treatment, he was substituted by Zach Abbott, raising fresh Ola Aina injury concerns ahead of the second leg.
Estádio Municipal de Braga:
Nigeria target Noah Atubolu played the full 90 minutes as Freiburg were beaten 2-1 by Sporting Braga.
Braga led early through Demir Ege Tıknaz (8′), but Vincenzo Grifo equalised for Freiburg. Mario Dorgeles scored a stoppage-time winner for the Portuguese side.
Switzerland U21 international of Nigerian descent Bruno Ogbus was an unused substitute.
Europa Conference League
Rayo Vallecano took a 1-0 lead into the second leg against Strasbourg thanks to Alemão’s 54th-minute header.
Maxi Oyedele (Poland international eligible for Nigeria) came off the bench late and was booked shortly after for a foul.
Shakhtar Donetsk lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace in Krakow. Promising Nigerian-eligible forward Prosper Obah was an unused substitute.
Ismaïla Sarr scored in just 21 seconds — setting a new Conference League record for the fastest goal. Oleg Ocheretko replied for Shakhtar, but Crystal Palace sealed a two-goal aggregate lead with late strikes.
Ola Aina injury update will be key for Super Eagles fans, while several other Nigerian talents continue to impress on the European stage.
