No fewer than seven Nigerian players have qualified for the semifinals of both the UEFA Europa League and the Conference league, as well as the UEFA Champions League.
Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo, and Calvin Bassey have all qualified for the European semifinals of clubs competitions.
All will have an opportunity of adding one or two appearances to their previous ones, but how many Nigerian players have made 50 or more appearances in European competitions:
Nwankwo Kanu (81)
Papilo, as was known by his fans in his playing days, had the highest number of appearances among Nigerians in UEFA competitions.
The 45-year-old may have called it quit in football a long time ago, but his place at the top in European appearances remains untouchable.
Kanu made 81 appearances in European competitions over his 19-year career since he left for Europe in 1993.
He played for Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Brom, and Portsmouth, where he retired after winning several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.
Taye Taiwo (78)
Taye Taiwo had a blistering start in his football career, having been voted the third-best player in the 2008 Olympics behind Lionel Messi and John Obi Mikel.
The left-back took off well and was an established figure in the Olympique de Marseille dressing room, with over 250 appearances for the French side before leaving.
He went on to play for Associazione Calcio Milan (AC Milan) before joining Queens Park Rangers in England on loan as his career began to dwindle.
Taiwo’s pattern of the game was likened to the Brazilian great Roberto Carlos because of his long-range goalscoring ability.
The 36-year-old defender, who now plays for Trawllwm FC in Wales, made 78 appearances in European competitions over his career.
John Mikel Obi (70)
He was known as the most decorated Nigerian footballer of all time following his exploit with premier league side Chelsea.
Former Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel, has won almost everything in club competition; the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, FA Cup, Premier League, League Cup, and AFCON, including silver at the 2008 Olympics.
He made 70 appearances in European competitions over his blistering career before playing in Kuwait for Kuwait SC at the age of 34.
Obafemi Martins (63)
Oba-goal, as he was called in his Super Eagles days, was best known for his back flick trademark goal celebration.
Obafemi Martins was one of the most prolific players Super Eagles ever produced and his record still exists both in His homeland and Italy.
He played in so many clubs including Inter Milan, Newcastle United, and Birmingham amongst others.
Peter Olayinka (53)
Slavia Prague forward, Peter Olayinka, joined the special class of Nigerians when he played in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Olayinka is one of the very few Nigerian elites that have featured more than 50 times in European competitions having played for different clubs including his current team, Slavia Prague.
Olayinka has made just two appearances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and despite his limited number of appearances for his country, the attacker has reached a mark in Europe.
At just 26 years, Olayinka still stands a chance of surpassing Kanu who stands top of the European appearance ranking as a Nigerian.
His form for his club can even earn him a call on a bigger side and his number of appearances can be increased.
