According to a report by The Punch on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Mubarak Suleiman, a Super Eagles invitee, has reached a significant milestone in the UEFA Champions League after becoming the first Nigerian teenager to start a game in the competition since Alex Iwobi did so in March 2016.

The 19-year-old featured from the start for Slavia Prague in their entertaining 2-2 draw with Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul on Tuesday evening.

With this achievement, Suleiman brought an end to a 10-year gap since a Nigerian teenager last started a Champions League match, when Iwobi represented Arsenal against Barcelona in the round of 16 in March 2016.

The midfielder made his second appearance in the prestigious European competition after playing his first match against Sabah FK on October 13. Slavia Prague lost that encounter 2-0 in Azerbaijan.

Despite facing a difficult challenge against Fenerbahçe, Suleiman showed encouraging signs, creating two key passes and completing six accurate passes into the attacking third. He was eventually replaced by Pavel Kacor in the 85th minute.

Slavia Prague demonstrated impressive resilience by overturning a two-goal deficit to earn a hard-fought point on the road.

Fenerbahçe appeared to be in control after Oğuz Aydın and Mason Greenwood scored within the first 11 minutes to give the Turkish side a commanding lead.

Slavia Prague responded in the 15th minute when Lukas Provod capitalised on a misplaced pass from Matteo Guendouzi to reduce the deficit. The visitors completed their comeback in the 90th minute, with Kacor scoring a spectacular acrobatic volley to make it 2-2.

Emmanuel Ayaosi, the Nigerian forward, played a crucial role in the late equaliser by delivering the cross that led to Kacor’s goal. The strike was also the 20-year-old’s first senior goal for Slavia Prague.

So far this season, Suleiman has registered one goal and one assist in eight appearances in all competitions.

The youngster was initially expected to join the Super Eagles for their international friendly against Russia but withdrew from the squad before the fixture took place.

Reaching this milestone represents an important moment in Suleiman’s career as he continues to gain experience in European football and work towards securing further opportunities with the Nigerian national team.

He will be eager to use this Champions League experience as a foundation for further progress while helping Slavia Prague in their ongoing European campaign.