At 19, Mubarak Suleiman became the first Nigerian teenager to start a Champions League match since Alex Iwobi in 2016, in Slavia Prague’s 2-2 draw at Fenerbahçe.
On 21 October 2026, Mubarak Suleiman, the 19-year-old Slavia Prague midfielder, was named in the starting line-up for the 2-2 draw at Fenerbahçe, at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, in the Champions League. It was his first start in the competition. According to OptaJoe data, he thus joins Alex Iwobi, the Nigeria international attacking midfielder, a Fulham player who came through Arsenal.
OptaJoe highlighted the scale of the feat: “19 – Slavia Prague’s Mubarak Suleiman is the first Nigerian teenager to start a UEFA Champions League match since Alex Iwobi in March 2016 for Arsenal against Barcelona. Opportunity.” Ten years after Iwobi, another Nigerian under 20 is tasting European action, this time in the colours of the Czech club.
A match in Istanbul
At Fenerbahçe, Slavia Prague initially fell behind. Fenerbahçe led 2-0 after eleven minutes, through goals from Aydin and Greenwood. The Czechs, however, snatched an equaliser in the 90th minute thanks to Pavel Kacor, who came on in place of Suleiman.
The young Nigerian played 85 minutes of top-level football before making way. According to Pulse Sports Nigeria, he recorded two key passes and six accurate passes into the final third. His first Champions League start therefore ended in a 2-2 draw, in a match that swung late on.
A two-step introduction to the Champions League
This start is part of a rapid rise. Suleiman had made his debut in the competition on 13 October, coming on as a substitute against Sabah FK. Eight days later, he was handed a start in Istanbul.
Across the season, the midfielder has one goal and one assist in eight appearances in all competitions for Slavia Prague, according to Pulse Sports Nigeria. The Czech club also has three Nigerians in its professional squad: Suleiman, Samuel Kelechi Isife and Emmanuel Ayaosi.
A possible call-up to the Super Eagles
Thanks to this performance, Suleiman is now in contention to eventually join Nigeria’s Super Eagles, according to Pulse Sports Nigeria. The 19-year-old is thus named among the Nigerian profiles to watch in Europe.
Slavia Prague’s next fixture: matchday 4 of the Champions League league phase, in November 2026. The club will also play their next Czech league match.