Tue. Dec 3rd, 2024

Europe’s major club competitions are reaching their climax and several African players stand on the brink of history.

There is strong representation from the continent in all three European finals, with the six teams involved all having Africans in their ranks.

Chief amongst them are the contingent at Bayer Leverkusen, who are aiming to seal the second part of an ‘invincible treble’ when they face Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Below, Sport Africa runs down the men who have made key contributions and who could be adding to their trophy cabinets over the next week and a half.

Boniface and co in hunt for unique treble
Leverkusen racked up a European record-extending 51st game unbeaten against Augsburg on Saturday as Victor Boniface opened the scoring for the German champions.

The striker, alongside compatriot Nathan Tella, will come up against fellow Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, who was pivotal in helping the Super Eagles finish as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

There will be a strong West African flavour to the final in Dublin, with players from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali also represented.

Odilon Kossounou could add the Europa League title to the Nations Cup winners medal he picked up with the Ivorians, while fellow defender Edmund Tapsoba and Morocco forward Amine Adli have also featured regularly for Leverkusen this season.

Winger Lookman and Mali striker El Bilal Toure both scored in the second leg of their semi-final to help Atalanta reach their first European final before the pair missed out lifting the Coppa Italia against Juventus last week.

By Joy

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