Suleiman Makes Nigerian Champions League History
Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman has made Nigerian football history after becoming the first Nigerian teenager to start a UEFA Champions League match since Alex Iwobi featured for Arsenal against Barcelona in March 2016.
The 19-year-old achieved the milestone on Tuesday as Slavia Prague battled to a 2-2 draw against Fenerbahce in Turkey, ending a wait of more than 10 years for another Nigerian teenager to make the starting line-up in Europe’s premier club competition.
It was Suleiman’s second Champions League appearance of the season, another significant step in the youngster’s growing career in European football.
The Nigerian, currently valued at €3.5 million by Transfermarkt, has made 17 appearances for Slavia Prague, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
His emergence is particularly significant given the historical comparison with Iwobi, who was also 19 when he started for Arsenal against Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 encounter at Camp Nou in March 2016.
Iwobi subsequently established himself as a Premier League regular and a key member of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Suleiman will now hope to build on his Champions League breakthrough and continue his development with the Czech champions as he seeks to establish himself among Nigeria’s emerging talents in European football.
