Europa playoffs: Forest face Fenerbahçe as Celtic draw Stuttgart

Nottingham Forest and Celtic have been handed demanding fixtures in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off round, with Nigerian players set to play key roles when ties begin on February 19.

Forest were drawn against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe following their 13th-placed finish in the league phase.

The English side, seeded for the draw, will travel to Istanbul for the first leg before hosting the return fixture at the City Ground on February 26.

The Premier League side will rely on Nigerian full-back Ola Aina, who has returned to regular action and was recently added to Forest’s Europa League squad.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also expected to feature prominently after ending a prolonged domestic goal drought.

If Forest progress, they will face either Danish side Midtjylland or Spain’s Real Betis in the last 16.

Celtic, unseeded after finishing 21st in the league phase, were paired with German Bundesliga side Stuttgart. The Scottish champions will host the first leg before travelling for the return fixture.

The tie revives memories of Celtic’s previous European meeting with Stuttgart, whom they defeated on aggregate during their run to the 2003 UEFA Cup final.

• Two die in road crash enroute Deputy Governor’s burial
• Senate sets date for passage of N58.472t 2026 budget
• No leadership tussle in NUPENG – NEC member
• Just in: Donald Duke dumps PDP for ADC
• AUN President charges students to embrace change at 42nd Matriculation

Porto, who beat Celtic in that final, are among their potential last-16 opponents this season, alongside Braga.

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to be central to Celtic’s challenge, having already found the net earlier in the competition against Red Star Belgrade.

Elsewhere, Nigerian players are spread across other playoff ties, with Cyriel Dessers lining up for Panathinaikos against Viktoria Plzen, while Peter Olayinka and Red Star Belgrade prepare for a difficult encounter with Lille.

The Europa League knockout play-off ties will be played over two legs on February 19 and February 26.

Europa League knockout play-off fixtures

Dinamo Zagreb vs Genk

Brann vs Bologna

Ludogorets vs Ferencváros

Celtic vs Stuttgart

Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen

Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest

PAOK vs Celta Vigo

Lille vs Red Star Belgrade

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp

[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']