Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is on the verge of becoming the eighth Nigeria star to play in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Osimhen has a chance to play in the last-four stage if he helps Luciano Spalletti’s men overturn a one-goal deficit against AC Milan from their first-leg fixture at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old has scored four goals in five Champions League matches so far this season.
As part of the build-up to Napoli’s crucial fixture against Milan, Afrosport compiles the list of former Nigeria internationals who played in the penultimate stage of the elite European competition.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Manchester City [2015-16]
Iheanacho is the latest Nigeria player to play in the Champions League semi-final after coming off the bench in Manchester City’s goalless draw against Real Madrid in April 2016.
He also played the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu but Real Madrid came out victorious with a 1-0 win.
John Obi Mikel – Chelsea [2007-08 & 2011-12]
The former Super Eagles captain was an unused substitute in the dramatic fixture that ended 3-2 at the end of extra-time with Chelsea progressing into the final.
Four years later, Mikel put in a commanding display for the Blues as they dominated Barcelona to advance to the final and lift their maiden Champions League crown against Bayern Munich in May 2012.
Obafemi Martins – Inter Milan [2002-03]
‘Obagoal’ came off the bench to deliver a masterclass against AC Milan and he scored a crucial equaliser as the game ended 1-1.
The goal was not enough as the Nerrazzurri were eliminated based on away goal rules with their city rivals progressing to the final.
Nwankwo Kanu – Ajax [1994-95 & 1995-96]
The lanky former Nigeria international established himself in Louis van Gaal’s squad as a teenager and he played a laudable role in Ajax’s Champions League triumph in 1995.
A year later, Kanu also played both legs of Ajax’s semi-final battle against Panathinaikos which they won, but they could not defend their European title against Juventus in the final.
Finidi George – Ajax [1994-95 & 1995-96]
George became the first Nigerian to score in the Champions League semi-final with Ajax’s second goal in their 5-2 defeat of Bayern Munich in April 1995.
He also played in the 1995-96 semi-final with Ajax, just like Kanu.
Tijani Babangida – Ajax [1996-97]
Babangida played the entire duration of the two-legged fixture between Ajax and Juventus in April 1997.
The Dutch giants lost both games by 2-1 in Amsterdam and 4-1 in Turin.
Victor Ikpeba – Monaco [1997-98]
Ikpeba was in action for Monaco when they faced Juventus in the semi-final of the Champions League in April 1998.
The French club suffered a 4-1 loss in the first-leg which sent them packing despite claiming a 3-2 victory in the return fixture.
