Super Eagles stars Cyriel Dessers and Raphael Onyedika will be on opposite sides when Rangers host Club Brugge at Ibrox on Tuesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff clash.
The Nigerian duo find themselves in the unusual position of battling each other for a place in the lucrative group stage of Europe’s premier competition, with both teams just one step away from qualification.
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Rangers striker Dessers is in line to return from injury after manager Russell Martin confirmed his recovery from a knee and ankle knock sustained against Viktoria Plzen.
“Cyriel’s is not as bad as everyone feared. Tomorrow (Saturday) will be too early, but we’re really hopeful he can be involved on Tuesday,” Martin told the BBC.
On the other hand, Onyedika has been instrumental for Club Brugge throughout their qualifying campaign.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who played a key role in Brugge’s run to the knockout stages last season, continues to attract transfer interest, though the Belgian side reportedly values him at no less than €15 million.
Rangers have history on their side, winning 18 of their previous 29 Champions League qualifying matches at Ibrox.
However, Brugge arrive in Scotland full of confidence after four straight victories, including a 3-1 aggregate win over Red Bull Salzburg in the previous round, with Carlos Forbs and Hans Vanaken among the goals.
This tie also revives memories of the clubs’ last competitive encounter in the inaugural Champions League season of 1992/93, when Rangers defeated Brugge 2-1 at Ibrox despite playing with 10 men.
Domestically, Rangers have endured a slow start under Martin, drawing both opening Scottish Premiership fixtures to fall four points behind early leaders Celtic and Hearts.
But the Glasgow club often find extra motivation in Europe, and with Champions League football at stake, Tuesday’s clash promises a thrilling contest—one that will temporarily pit two Nigerian internationals against each other in pursuit of continental glory.
