African players in Champions League quarter finals
OJuventus: f all of Africa’s stars still in the competition, perhaps Juve’s trio have the toughest assignment after the Old Lady were pitted against Barcelona.
The Catalonian giants appeared finished after their first-leg demolition by Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, but will be buoyed after their miraculous second-leg comeback.
They face a stern test in a Juve side who have added a new dimension to their game recently. Kwadwo Asamoah is returning to top form after injury, although the same can’t be said for Mario Lemina or Medhi Benatia, who have struggled with form and fitness respectively.
Borussia Dortmund Monaco: n a draw that suits both sides, BVB’s star frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will fancy his chances of adding to his UCL tally of seven in seven this season against a Monaco defence that conceded six against Manchester City over two legs.
The Gabon international is back to his best after an underwhelming spell after the Nations Cup, but Dortmund must take nothing for a granted against a Monaco side that can call on Franco-Cameroonian wonderkid Kylian Mbappe, Manchester United target Tiemoue Bakayoko and Almamy Toure among others.
INvs. AS Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid: either of these two continental giants can call on any African players, although Bayern duo Jerome Boateng and David Alaba could have featured for Ghana or Nigeria respectively. For Real, Castilla talent Achraf Hakimi is Moroccan, while the parents of coach Zinedine Zidane were born in Algeria.
Leicester City Atletico Madrid: iracle men Leicester have been handed a tough draw against an Atleti side who may well know how to negate the Foxes’ greatest threats.
The English champions will hope that Riyad Mahrez can sustain his recent return to form, while Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa could also play a key role off the bench.
Look out for the impressive Wilfred Ndidi, a key figure following his January arrival, while the midfield tussle between Daniel Amartey and Thomas Partey should they both play could be bruising!
Mvs.