By Milcah Tanimu
As the 2024 Europa League reaches its pinnacle, three Nigerian footballers—Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, and Lookman—are poised for potential glory at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 22, according to reports from PUNCH Sports Extra.
Today, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella will be pivotal as Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning German champions, take on Roma at BayArena for the second leg of the semi-finals. Leverkusen, now favorites after a commanding 2-0 victory at Stadio Olimpico, seek to clinch a spot in the final against either Marseille or Atalanta.
Leverkusen’s impressive performance not only places them on the cusp of the final but also within reach of rewriting history with a potential 48-game unbeaten streak, matching Benfica’s longstanding European record.
In the parallel semi-final clash, Lookman endeavors to lead Atalanta to their maiden Europa League title, facing the formidable Marseille. Atalanta’s formidable home form, winning 11 of their last 14 matches, offers hope for Lookman’s ambition to secure a final berth against Leverkusen.
Should Leverkusen and Atalanta both advance, the final showdown promises a unique Nigerian presence, ensuring at least one Nigerian player will vie for the coveted title.
Nigerian footballers have left an indelible mark on the Europa League, with recent successes including Samuel Chukwueze’s triumph with Villarreal in 2021 and Victor Moses’s double victories with Chelsea in 2012/13 and 2018/19. Additionally, Mikel Obi secured the trophy with Chelsea in the 2012/13 season, while Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey narrowly missed out on glory with Glasgow Rangers in 2022.
