African Interest in the Champions League Round of 16
In this feature, we run down the five fixtures in the Champions League Round of 16 with the most intense African interest.
Several of the continent’s players starred in the group stage, although many have already fallen by the wayside.
Gervinho, for example, exploded into the competition on his return to the top table with a brace and an assist against CSKA Moscow. He and his AS Roma teammate Seydou Keita will play no part in the next round, however, having fallen at the first hurdle.
Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia are other big names not to have escaped the group stage, while Islam Slimani, of Algeria and Sporting Lisbon, will have to settle for a spot in the Europa League.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea
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Serge Aurier hasn’t completely convinced since arriving at Paris Saint-Germain, not least because of Gregory van der Wiel’s impressive return to form.
The Ivorian is still young, however (only 21), and I have little doubt that he will blossom into one of the world’s most exciting full-backs.
He won’t have faced many fiercer challenges than Chelsea, however.
Beyond his compatriot, Didier Drogba, Aurier may also have to contend with Mohamed Salah if the Egyptian remains at Stamford Bridge beyond the January transfer window.
Another African player whose future is uncertain is John Obi Mikel. A possible move away from West London has been mooted in the last few transfer windows, and with little sign of edging past Nemanja Matic, teams from Italy and Turkey might be in for the Nigerian midfielder once again.
One suspects, however, that if Chelsea are to go far in the Champions League this season, Jose Mourinho’s lieutenant will likely stick around and be a big part of the proceedings.
Manchester City vs. Barcelona
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With Alex Song having left Barcelona, and Munir El-Haddadi having represented Spain, the only African interest in this heavyweight clash comes from Manchester City.
It’s a considerable interest, however.
Yaya Toure—who was recently named as the African Football Writers’ Player of the Year following a poll by Africa Football Shop—will be said to meet his former employers once again.
The Ivorian had a sluggish start to the season, particularly following the controversies and the tragedies of the summer, but has picked up his form in recent weeks.
Will it be enough to best Barcelona though?
While City struggled during the early start of the group stage, they were immense against AS Roma without Toure and Sergio Aguero. With these two likely to be present again vs. Barcelona, the Citizens will be confident that they can overcome Luis Enrique’s Catalonians.
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund
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This double-header will hopefully feature two of the continent’s top stars at this moment in time.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled in the Bundesliga this term—like so many of his teammates—but impressed in the Champions League group stage. He scored three goals in five starts, including a brace against Galatasaray.
With Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba firmly past their prime, the world is waiting for the next superstar African striker to fill the void left by the fading talent of these two.
Asamoah Gyan, Islam Slimani and Wilfried Bony will all stake their claim to this title, but Aubameyang is the only one left standing at Europe’s top table.
Kwadwo Asamoah, of Juventus, will play no part in the Cup of Nations, having undergone keyhole surgery at the beginning of December. He will not travel to Equatorial Guinea, but he could return for the second leg of the bout with Dortmund.
Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid
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Cameroon defender Joel Matip has already spoken out about his side’s upcoming clash with Real Madrid. As reported by UEFA.com, the Indomitable Lion began: "We are looking forward to it [facing Real Madrid] and want to show what we have learned from last year."
While there is no African interest at Real Madrid, Schalke can boast one of the continent’s most in-form players.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is currently the joint-top scorer in the Bundesliga and has adapted superbly to life on a grander stage since leaving Mainz in the summer.
He can expect an extended run in the Cup of Nations with Cameroon, but he should be back to resume club duties in time for the double-header with Madrid.
The Indomitable Lion will likely be supported by the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Chinedu Obasi and Leroy Sane.
Basel vs. FC Porto
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These two sides will meet for the first time ever in the Champions League Round of 16.
Portuguese giants Porto can arguably boast two of the competition’s most talented African players.
Both Yacine Brahimi and Vincent Aboubakar moved to a bigger stage in the summer when they signed for Porto, and they have had mixed fortunes since.
The Algerian playmaker was influential as the Portuguese side ousted LOSC Lille in the play-offs to advance to the group stage and scored four in five in the group stage. He was recently named as the BBC African Player of the Year and will be keen to stamp his authority on the knockout stages.
By contrast, Aboubakar has struggled since swapping Lorient for Porto in the summer.
He is yet to start in the Liga Sagres, and despite managing an admirable eight goals in 15 matches so far this season he, is yet to convince as a leading man for the Blue and Whites.
Ghanaian defender Daniel Opare is another African presence who will hope to see Porto through to the quarter-finals.
Standing in their way, however, will be Basel, replete with African players such as Serey Die, Mohamed El-Nenny and Giovanni Sio.
