Nigerian Stars Set for 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League League Phase
Nigerian football stars will take centre stage as the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase gets underway on Tuesday, with seven Super Falcons internationals and emerging Nigerian talents set to feature for some of Europe’s leading clubs.
The league phase begins on September 22, with 18 teams involved and the opening round of fixtures spread across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ajibade, Echegini Lead PSG Challenge
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and fellow Nigeria international Jennifer Echegini headline the Nigerian contingent at Paris Saint-Germain, who begin their campaign away to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
PSG will visit the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium for an 8pm kick-off, with the French side looking to secure a positive result against a Real Madrid team that has reached the league phase in every season since the competition adopted its current format.
Ajibade played an important role in PSG’s qualification for the league phase, while Echegini provides further Nigerian representation in the Parisian squad.
Demehin, Akekoromowei, Sabastine Face Juventus
Oluwatosin Demehin, Janet Akekoromowei and Flourish Sabastine are set to be part of the Benfica squad travelling to Italy for their opening league-phase fixture against Juventus.
The Portuguese champions will face Juventus at 8pm on Tuesday, with both teams beginning their European campaigns.
Benfica have previous experience at this stage of the competition, having reached the quarter-finals in the 2023/24 edition before returning to the league phase after securing another Portuguese league title.
Ogochukwu Targets Inter Milan Test
Super Falcons forward Joy Omewa Ogochukwu will also begin her European campaign on Tuesday when BK Häcken travel to Italy to face Inter Milan.
The encounter at 5:45pm presents Ogochukwu with an opportunity to make an impact against an Inter side making its debut in the league phase.
Inter secured their place in the competition after overcoming German giants Wolfsburg on penalties during the qualifying rounds.
Oladipo Begins Roma Campaign Against OH Leuven
Nigeria defender Shukurat Damilola Oladipo will begin her Champions League campaign with Italian champions AS Roma when they travel to Belgium to face OH Leuven on Wednesday.
The match is scheduled for 5:45pm, with Oladipo expected to provide defensive options for a Roma side returning to the league phase.
Roma have previous pedigree in the competition, reaching the quarter-finals in the 2022/23 campaign.
Matchday 1 Fixtures
Tuesday, September 22
- Inter Milan vs BK Häcken — 5:45pm
- Bayern Munich vs Manchester City — 5:45pm
- Real Madrid vs PSG — 8pm
- Arsenal vs HB Køge — 8pm
- Juventus vs Benfica — 8pm
Wednesday, September 23
- OH Leuven vs Roma — 5:45pm
- Servette vs OL Lyonnes — 5:45pm
- Barcelona vs Paris FC — 8pm
- Chelsea vs Austria Wien — 8pm
The league phase will continue through December, before the knockout stages get underway in February.
For Nigerian football followers, the opening round provides another opportunity to watch the country’s leading female players compete on one of the biggest stages in European club football, with Ajibade, Echegini, Demehin, Akekoromowei, Sabastine, Ogochukwu and Oladipo all set for action.
