Champions League: Mubarak Suleiman makes history with starting berth

Live 61’ Champions League

Fenerbahce

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Slavia Prague

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Mubarak Suleiman is making history in Nigerian football in the Champions League. The Slavia Prague midfielder is starting against Fenerbahçe this Tuesday, October 20, 2026, becoming the first Nigerian teenager to start a match in the competition since Alex Iwobi, in March 2016, with Arsenal against FC Barcelona.

This starting berth comes a week after his first appearance in the competition. On October 13, he came on in the 62nd minute against Sabah FK. Slavia Prague lost 2-0 in Azerbaijan. The young Nigerian had then made his Champions League debut before returning to the starting XI on matchday three.

Twelve years after Alex Iwobi, Suleiman takes over

The previous instance dates back to March 16, 2016. At 19, Alex Iwobi was named in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the second leg of the round of 16 against FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. The Gunners lost 3-1, exiting the competition with a 5-1 aggregate score.

Ten years later, Suleiman is taking up the mantle. The Nigerian midfielder plays alongside two compatriots at Slavia Prague, Samuel Kelechi Isife and Emmanuel Ayaosi. Starting against Fenerbahçe gives him the opportunity to cement his place in the Czech squad and write his name into the recent history of Nigerian players in the Champions League.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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