How Zaidu Sanusi, Ayaosi, Three Other Nigerians Fared as UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 Concludes
Five Nigerian players featured for their respective clubs on Wednesday as the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 fixtures concluded across Europe, with FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, Slavia Prague trio Emmanuel Ayaosi, David Moses and Mubarak Suleiman, alongside Christian Nwachukwu of Sabah, all making appearances.
However, it was a mixed outing for the Nigerian contingent, with only Sanusi celebrating victory as Porto defeated Napoli 4-1 at the Estádio do Dragão, while the other four players suffered defeats.
Sanusi came on in the 67th minute, replacing Martim Fernandes, and played 23 minutes as Porto secured their first points in the league phase with an emphatic victory over the Italian champions.
At the Fortuna Arena in Prague, three Nigerians were involved as Slavia Prague lost 2-1 to Arsenal.
Midfielder David Moses started and played 81 minutes before making way for Chaloupek. He also received a yellow card in the 20th minute.
Fellow Nigerian Mubarak Suleiman also started but was substituted at half-time, completing 45 minutes, while Emmanuel Ayaosi entered the game at the start of the second half and played 24 minutes before being replaced in the 70th minute.
None of the three Nigerians registered a goal or assist, as Slavia’s late consolation goal came through Nowak in the 90th minute after first-half strikes from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres had given Arsenal a two-goal advantage.
In Norway, Christian Nwachukwu started for Azerbaijani side Sabah but could not prevent a 4-1 defeat against Viking FK at the Lyse Arena.
The Nigerian forward played 71 minutes before making way for Du Queiroz as Viking claimed their first Champions League victory of the campaign.
Nwachukwu’s appearance completed Wednesday’s Nigerian participation, with the five players recording a combined 245 minutes on the pitch without a goal or assist.
Nigerian Players’ Statistics
| Player | Club | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaidu Sanusi | Porto | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| David Moses | Slavia Prague | 81 | 0 | 0 |
| Mubarak Suleiman | Slavia Prague | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| Emmanuel Ayaosi | Slavia Prague | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Christian Nwachukwu | Sabah | 71 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 244 | 0 | 0 |
UEFA Champions League Matchday 4: Wednesday Results at a Glance
- AEK Athens 2-3 Real Madrid
- Fenerbahçe 3-2 Liverpool
- Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Real Betis
- FC Porto 4-1 Napoli
- PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Club Brugge
- RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City
- Lens 1-9 Como
- Slavia Prague 1-2 Arsenal
- Viking FK 4-1 Sabah
Como produced the most remarkable result of the night, dismantling Lens 9-1 away from home, while Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal also secured important victories.
Fenerbahçe handed Liverpool a 3-2 defeat, while Porto’s victory over Napoli and Viking’s triumph against Sabah completed the nine-match programme.
Wednesday’s results brought Matchday 4 of the Champions League league phase to a close, with attention now turning to the next round of fixtures.
