Stephen Dunmoye
Bayer Leverkusen’s Nigerian contingent of Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella will tackle their Italy-based compatriot Ademola Lookman in the Europa League final after their side dramatically overturned a 2-0 deficit against Roma to progress 4-2 on aggregate.
Boniface and Tella were unused substitutes as Xabi Alonso’s men looked down and out when trailing by two goals in the second leg at the BayArena on Thursday night.
A stunning late fightback, sparked by a Gianluca Mancini own goal, saw Leverkusen equalize in stoppage time through Josip Stanisic to book their place in the Dublin showpiece.
It capped a remarkable campaign for the Bundesliga side, who avenged last season’s Europa League semifinal elimination by breaking Benfica’s long-standing 59-year record for consecutive games unbeaten across all competitions.
Leverkusen’s 49th game without defeat sets a new benchmark as they ended an agonizing long wait to reach an European final.
For the Nigerian trio of Boniface, Tella and Lookman, who helped Atalanta overcome Marseille with a goal and assist, it represents another milestone achievement in their fledgling careers after playing key roles in the history-making feats.