Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Bruno Onyemaechi and Raphael Onyedika are among the Nigerian players who will feature in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs after the conclusion of the league phase on Wednesday night.
The revamped 36-team format produced a dramatic finale, with eight clubs securing automatic qualification for the last 16, 12 teams eliminated outright and 16 sides progressing to a two-legged play-off to decide the remaining places.
Osimhen’s Galatasaray narrowly made the play-off cut despite a difficult outing in England, where they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Victor Osimhen at the Etihad stadium. Photo Credit: Imago
First-half goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki ensured victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, a result that also confirmed City’s place in the top eight. Galatasaray finished 20th overall.
Bruno Onyemaechi was on the winning side as Olympiacos booked their play-off spot with a 2-1 away victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
The Greek champions ended the league phase in 18th place, while Ajax’s defeat confirmed their elimination after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish 32nd with just two wins.
Raphael Onyedika and Club Brugge delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the final round, thrashing Marseille 3-0 to secure qualification.
Brugge scored twice inside the opening 11 minutes before adding a third after the break to finish 19th, a result that knocked the French side out of the competition.
Onyedika in action against Marseille. Photo Credit: Imago
Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta closed the league phase with a 1-0 defeat by Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, with Anan Khalaili scoring the decisive goal.
Atalanta finished 15th, while Union were eliminated in 27th despite the win.Other Nigerian players progressed without featuring on Wednesday.
Ademola Lookman in action against USG. Photo Credit: Imago
Nathan Tella’s Bayer Leverkusen finished 16th following a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal, while George Ilenikhena’s Monaco advanced after holding Juventus to a goalless draw, ending the phase in 21st place.
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However, it was a disappointing conclusion for Igoh Ogbu, David Moses and Samuel Isife, whose Slavia Prague side were heavily beaten 4-1 by Pafos. The defeat left the Czech club 34th in the standings and eliminated from the tournament.
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Attention now turns to the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw, which will take place on Friday, 30 January 2026, at UEFA’s House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
