Nigeria stars set to lit up 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde and Saheed Afolabi

When the 2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) Qualifiers kick-off, about eight Nigerian players are expected to light the competition on Wednesday.

The likes of Chiamaka Nnadozie, Salisu Anuoluwapo, Idowu Kuku, Christy Ucheibe, Roosa Ariyo, Nicole Payne, Sunday Juliet, and Juliet Bassey will try to join Asisat Oshoala whose team, FC Barcelona has qualified for the group stage after winning the title last season.

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team first-choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and her French team, Paris FC face Ukrainian opponents in the Qualifiers.

They will play Kryvbas as the team attempts to make it to the group stage. For two straight seasons, Nnadozie’s side has qualified for the Qualifiers but couldn’t make it to the group stage last season.

The experience of the former Rivers Angels save hands at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be key for the side during the Qualifiers.

The duo of Anuoluwapo Salisu and Idowu Kuku will be making their Champions League debut when BIIK Kazygurt faces Latvian side, SFK Riga.

Former DreamStar FC Ladies captain, Salisu joined the Kazakhstan champions ahead of the campaign after being released by former Nigerian champions, Bayelsa Queens at the end of the 2022/2023 season after winning the league and Federation Cup (FA Cup) with the Prosperity Girls.

She can add bite to the team’s midfield and attack.

“We are ready already,” Salisu told nigeriafootball.ng. “We not just working to get just 3 points but working on getting qualification for the next round of the competition.

“We are aware of this and know what is at stake. We will give our best and expect positive results from the team.”

Idowu Kuku also switched to BIIK Kazygurt from Osun Babes after the latter’s relegation from the Nigerian top right women’s football league and will hope to get the ground running against the Ukrainian side in her debut Champions League game.

Kuku can add versatility to the team’s defensive midfield position in the game.

After stints with Granadilla Tenerife (Spain) and Club Brugge (Belgium), Ariyo returned to the Finnish women’s top division.

She previously played for TiPS before moving to Spain and is sure to add her experience to the KuPS attack in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.

The Nigerian international has got the ground running in the league with four goals this season for KuPS and is expected to play a pivotal role if her new team is to make it to the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

As the Finland side prepares to play Koge (Denmark) in the Qualifiers, a huge role awaits Ariyo.

The youngster recently moved to the former French champions joining the duo of Tosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran both at Stade de Reims in the French league.

The defender will hope to make her debut at the tournament with other Nigerian players. If PSG qualifies for the group stage, she can rub shoulders with the best in the world if given the chance.

Nigeria midfielder, Christy Ucheibe will be in line to appear for SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League against Cliftonville Ladies.

With an exceptional performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ucheibe’s exquisite experience will come into play to lead the Portuguese champions to the group stage of the lucrative Champions League.

As Águias (The Eagles) have won the Portuguese league title three times in a row and made their debut in the Champions League on five October 2021 against Bayern Munich.

The pair of Sunday Juliet and Juliet Bassey will be starring for FC Gintra in the UEFA Champions League. Both players are the export of NWFL Premiership side, Bayelsa Queens to the Lithuanian league.

Prolific forward, Juliet joined Gintra last season and she has registered herself as the focal striker upfront for the club. Her combination with midfield maestro, Bassey will be crucial for the Lithuanian side breaking their jinx.

However, in their history, Gintra has failed to make it to the group stage of the Champions League despite dominating the Lithuanian A Lyga. Both players will be a determining factor for Gintra to cement a place in the group stage of the elite tournament in Europe.