Nigerian defender Bruno Onyemaechi is full of excitement as he prepares to make his UEFA Champions League debut with Greek champions, Olympiacos. The 25-year-old fullback is looking forward to a new chapter in his career after helping his club secure a domestic double in Greece.

Onyemaechi joined Olympiacos from Portuguese side Boavista and has already made a big impact at the club. In his first season, he helped the team win the Greek Super League — their first league title since the 2021–22 season. Olympiacos didn’t stop there; they also lifted the Greek Cup, beating OFI Crete 2–0 in the final. That victory marked the club’s 29th Cup triumph and completed their 19th domestic double.

“It’s a very big season because I’ll be playing in the Champions League for the first time,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. I just hope I’m well-prepared and stay injury-free.”

While the Champions League spotlight is exciting, Onyemaechi is also focused on a major task with the Nigerian national team — qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles face crucial matches ahead, and the defender knows how much is at stake.

“Talking about the World Cup, we have very important games that we need to win,” Onyemaechi explained. “We know it’s difficult, but we are professionals — we need to do our job. The pressure is there, but we have to forget about it and stay focused. Nigeria is a big nation; it would be a shame if we don’t qualify. We’ll do our best to get that ticket.”

Onyemaechi also used the moment to voice his support for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who has faced public criticism since taking over the team.

“In the two months I’ve worked with him, I can say he’s the right guy for the job,” Onyemaechi said. “There’s a lot of noise outside saying he doesn’t know what he’s doing, but if you come closer, you’ll see he’s actually the right person.”

As Onyemaechi gears up for a busy season, both on the European front with Olympiacos and internationally with Nigeria, fans will be hoping he continues to grow and deliver strong performances. His calm confidence, combined with experience from top-level competition, could prove vital in both Olympiacos' Champions League campaign and Nigeria’s World Cup journey.