UCL: Milan praise Nigerian excellence after Chukwueze’s goal sends them through to the Europa League

A late winner from Samuel Chukwueze secured three points for the Rossoneri against Newcastle at Saint James Park to continue their European adventure this season.

A.C. Milan took time to celebrate the players with Nigerian roots at the club after they played a huge role in securing a Europa League spot for them, Soccernet.ng reports.

The seven-time UEFA Champions League winners featured three players of Nigerian descent against the Magpies last night as they came away with an infamous victory from Saint James Park in Newcastle.

Noah Okafor represents Switzerland internationally, meanwhile, Oluwafikayomi Tomori plays for the Three Lions of England. Both players are of Nigerian descent, with Super Eagles right-winger Samuel Chukwueze joining the pack.

The trio played vital roles in Milan’s win last night. Tomori’s last-ditch tackle denied Miguel Almiron a chance to break the deadlock on the 20th-minute mark.

On the other side of things, Okafor and Chukwueze came on as substitutes and both combined brilliantly to create the winning goal. Okafor’s rightly measured pass fed Chukwueze who curled it past Martin Dubravka.

The club then took to their social media page to praise all the players of Nigerian descent at the club on the night after a massive display, tagging it “Naija Excellence”.

Naija excellence 🇳🇬#NEWACM #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/NcWtFpDQv1

— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 13, 2023

Milan couldn’t make it to the round of sixteen of the UEFA Champions League despite a tough win as they needed help from the fixture between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, but the fixture ended in a draw.

Albeit disappointing, the Rossoneri will feature in the Europa League when European Football resumes next February, meaning their dream of tasting continental silverware is still well and truly alive.