As Italian giants clash in Naples, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is eyeing a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League semi‑final when Napoli meet AC Milan in the second leg of their quarter‑final on Tuesday. Napoli lost the first leg 1‑0 at the San Siro, with the injured Osimhen absent, and will now hope that his presence and home advantage are enough to turn the tie around and secure a spot in the last four of Europe’s premier club competition.
If Osimhen helps Napoli reach the semi‑finals, he will become only the eighth Nigerian to play at that stage. The first was Finidi George, who scored in Ajax’s 5‑2 aggregate win over Bayern Munich in 1995 and went on to help the Dutch side win the final against AC Milan. George also featured in both semi‑final matches in 1996 as Ajax defeated Panathinaikos to reach a second consecutive final.
Nwankwo Kanu appeared as a substitute in the 1995 and 1996 semi‑finals against Bayern Munich and Panathinaikos, respectively, playing in four straight Champions League semi‑finals for Ajax under Louis van Gaal. Although he did not score, Kanu was influential as Ajax won the title in 1995 and lost on penalties to Juventus a year later. Another Ajax player, Tijani Babangida, featured in the 1997 semi‑finals, playing the full 180 minutes as Juventus eliminated Ajax 6‑2 on aggregate.
Between 1995 and 1998, Nigerians featured in every Champions League semi‑final. Victor Ikpeba continued the representation for a fourth consecutive year when Monaco reached the last four; he played the first leg of the 1998 semi‑final, a 4‑1 loss to Juventus in Turin, before Monaco won the second leg 3‑2, though Juventus advanced to the final. After a four‑year gap, Obafemi Martins of Inter Milan came on as a second‑half substitute and scored in the 2003 semi‑final second leg against AC Milan; the tie ended 1‑1 on aggregate, and Inter were eliminated on away goals.
In 2008, Mikel Obi reached the semi‑finals with Chelsea but watched from the bench as the Blues beat Liverpool to reach the final, which they lost to Manchester United on penalties. He finally played a central role in 2012 when Chelsea defeated Barcelona to reach the final, eventually winning on penalties against Bayern Munich. The most recent Nigerian to appear in a Champions League semi‑final is Kelechi Iheanacho, who featured for Manchester City against Real Madrid in the 2015/16 season, with Los Blancos winning 1‑0 on aggregate.
Osimhen and Napoli will face a tough test to reach the last four, having lost their previous two meetings with the Rossoneri 4‑0 and 1‑0 while their top scorer was injured.
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