The UEFA Champions League represents the biggest club competition in European football, and the 2026-27 edition kicks off today as 36 clubs begin their journey in the league phase, all hoping to be crowned champions at the end of the season.
The final will be played at the Estadio Metropolitano in June 2027 and several of Africa’s biggest football stars will be hoping to play a key role in helping their clubs reach the showpiece occasion.
Here are the top five African footballers to watch in this season’s Champions League.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be hoping for another superb showing in the Champions League with Galatasaray and will be hoping to lead the Turkish champions beyond their Round of 16 run last season.
The 27-year-old scored seven times in the competition and finished with the most player of the match awards with four, and will be hoping for another inspiring display this time around.
However, he is set to miss out on their opening match against Portuguese side Sporting CP, but should make his return ahead of their second match of the league phase.
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Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Reigning African footballer of the year award winner Achraf Hakimi will be eyeing another title winning campaign with PSG in the Champions League this season.
The French side have won the last two editions and will be looking to complete a historic three-peat with another win.
The two-time defending champions kick start their campaign against Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday and are massive favourites to earn a victory, which would also represent their first of the season after a slow start to the Ligue 1 season.
Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa)
Senegalese youngster Ibrahim Mbaye completed a move to Aston Villa during the summer transfer window and will be eyeing an instant impact when he makes his UCL debut for the club against Club Brugge later today.
Unai Emery’s side won the 2025-26 Europa League after defeating Freiburg 3-0 in the final and will be hoping to make an extended run in the Champions League this season as well, with Mbaye hoping to inspire them with his goals and pace in attack.
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo is another African footballer who will be aiming to help Manchester City in their Champions League campaign, as the Premier League side continue their quest for just their second ever title in the competition.
Semenyo joined the Cityzens during the winter transfer window and enjoyed an instant impact in the second half of last season, scoring the winning goal in the final of the FA Cup.
He will be looking to continue that impact for the club beginning with their opening game against Portuguese champions Porto tonight.
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Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid)
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman is no stranger to big performances on the European stage and will be hoping for another season of impact for Atletico Madrid, as they begin their campaign against Premier League side Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The Spanish side reached the semifinals last season and the Super Eagles winger will be hoping to inspire Diego Simeone’s side to another long run in the competition, as they hope to reach a home final in June.
