UEFA Media officer Richard Banblufeit has stated the European Football governing body decided to bring the UEFA Champions League trophy to the country’s capital, Abuja and Lagos, because of the iconic role Nigerian players have played in the foremost club competition since its inception in 1993.
Banblufeit disclosed that Chelsea, Ajax Nigeria icons are among Africans who have given so much to UEFA Champions League hence the decision of UEFA to short list the nation among African countries that will have the privilege of viewing the iconic trophy.
Europe’s football governing body UEFA brought joy to the faces of passionate Nigerian fans by bringing the UEFA Champions League trophy to the country’s capital, Abuja and Lagos this week.
Banblufeit confirmed that taking into account UEFA’S social media channels, Nigeria is among the top four countries when it comes to interaction with UEFA on Facebook, and the essence of having the tour in Nigeria was a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the fans.
He further noted that Nigerian players have distinguished themselves in the UEFA Champions League and mentioned the likes of Ajax Amsterdam icons Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel.
The first African player to sign for Chelsea Celestine Babayaro had been the youngest player to feature in the UEFA Champions League, aged 16 years and 85 days when he made his debut for RSC Anderlecht before the record was broken by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko (16 years and 18 days).