The UEFA Champions League round of 16 kicks off this week, with several African players set to play key roles as their teams vie for a place in the quarter-finals.
The first leg matches begin on Tuesday, featuring some highly anticipated encounters.
Tuesday’s Fixtures
Club Brugge will take on Aston Villa, while PSV Eindhoven face Arsenal in two early kick-offs at 17:45 GMT. Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to feature for Arsenal, while Moroccan Ismael Saibari represents PSV in what promises to be a thrilling clash.
Later in the evening, Real Madrid will lock horns with city rivals Atletico Madrid. Moroccan international Brahim Diaz could play a pivotal role for Real Madrid, while Mozambique’s Reinildo Mandava lines up for Atletico in the Madrid derby.
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund welcome Lille, with both sides looking to gain an advantage in the first leg.
Wednesday’s Fixtures
On Wednesday, the action begins at De Kuip where Feyenoord host Inter Milan at 17:45 GMT. Algerian forward Anis Hadj Moussa will be hoping to make an impact for the Dutch side.
Three high-profile matches follow at 20:00 GMT. Paris Saint-Germain face Liverpool in a blockbuster tie, with Achraf Hakimi representing the Moroccan contingent for PSG and Mohamed Salah spearheading Liverpool’s attack.
Barcelona travel to Benfica, while Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen in a German derby. Nigerian striker Victor Boniface and Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba are both key figures for Leverkusen.
The round of 16 promises to be an exciting showcase of African talent, with players from across the continent aiming to propel their teams closer to Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
