UCL: Onyedika, Akpom, Boniface, others learn last-16 foes as Real Madrid draws Atletico

The UEFA Champions League last-16 draw has set up intriguing clashes, with several Nigerian players still in the competition, Soccernet.ng reports.

Raphael Onyedika, Chuba Akpom, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Ethan Nwaneri are the only Nigerians left in the tournament, and they now know their paths forward.

Onyedika played a crucial role in Club Brugge’s stunning playoff victory over Europa League winners Atalanta, a result that led to tensions between Gian Piero Gasperini and Ademola Lookman. That triumph sets up a knockout clash against Aston Villa, who last reached this stage in 1983.

Chuba Akpom, who recently joined Lille from Ajax, will get another taste of Champions League football as the French side faces Borussia Dortmund, where Carney Chukwuemeka will be looking to make an impact.

Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri is expected to continue featuring for Arsenal in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka. The Gunners will take on PSV Eindhoven, the side that knocked out Juventus in the previous round.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Nigerian duo, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface, face a huge test against Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich as Xabi Alonso’s side looks to continue their impressive form.

Bayern Munich, last crowned champions in 2020, will be keen to get one over Bayer Leverkusen, a team that edged them to the league title last season. Bayern currently hold an eight-point lead over Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, with their recent league meeting ending in a goalless draw.

In the headline tie of the round, defending champions Real Madrid take on city rivals Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos, who eliminated Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate in the playoffs, will revisit their old foes, whom they defeated in the 2014 and 2016 finals.

Liverpool, who topped the group standings, travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg after the French champions thrashed Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoffs.

Other ties see Barcelona paired with Benfica, while last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan, will take on Feyenoord.