- The draw of the UEFA Europa League playoffs has been concluded, with two Nigeria internationals facing tough encounters
Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon and defender ,Calvin Bassey have mountainous challenges to overcome if they are to advance to the quarterfinals of this season's Europa League.
Moses Simon and Nantes have been pitted against Serie A giants, Juventus in the draw concluded on Monday afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland.
Nantes needed a last-gasp away victory at Olympiakos on matchday six to make it to this stage of the competition, but the French are unlucky to have drawn one of the toughest teams to have that dropped after finishing third in their Champions League group - Juventus.
The Italians would be favourites to advance to the next phase, while Moses Simon and teammates will believe they can upset the odds and beat the Old Ladies over two legs.
Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey had a more favourable draw after his Ajax were drawn against Bundesliga club, FC Union Berlin.
Ajax crashed from the Champions League after finishing third behind Napoli and Liverpool in Group A, despite Bassey featuring in all six group stage matches.
The former Rangers full-back will hope the Eredivisie champions can redeem some of their battered reputation with a triumph over Union Berlin.
Europa League first knockout round draw:
Barcelona vs Manchester United
Juventus vs Nantes (Moses Simon)
Sporting Lisbon vs FC Midtjylland
Ajax (Calvin Bassey) vs Union Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
Salzburg vs Roma
Sevilla vs PSV
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
