Amokachi, Babayaro, Enyeama Retain Their Places In Champions League History Books

Former Nigeria internationals Daniel Amokachi, Celestine Babayaro and Vincent Enyeama are still in the Champions League books, ahead of the start of the group stage of the competition in September.

And Amokachi’s record of being the first player to score in football’s flagship club competition, the UEFA Champions League, can never be broken even in a zillion years time.

The retired international striker achieved the feat on November 25, 1992, when he opened scoring for Club Brugge after 17 minutes in their 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow at Jan Breydelstadion.

Daniel Amokachi , who started for the Belgian champions, subbed off with one minute remaining after he was cautioned in the 68th minute.

Ex-Anderlecht left full back Celestine Babayaro became the youngest player in history to play in the Champions League when he made his debut against Steaua Bucharest on November 23, 1994, aged 16 years and 87 days.

Since that record was set more than two decades ago, the likes of Martin ødegaard, Allen Halilovic, Youri Tielemans, Charis Mavrias and Kenneth Zohore have come close to surpassing that milestone without success.

Former Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is one of three goalkeepers to have scored in the Champions League, the others being Hans-Jörg Butt and Sinan Bolat.

Enyeama scored a consolation goal for the Israeli champions in their 3-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais in a Group B clash on 29 September 2010.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: maccabi-tlv.co.il