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Africans in the Champions League qualifiers: Who's going through?

Nice's Jean Seri celebrates Getty Images

Ahead of the Champions League third qualifying round second legs, KweséESPN explores which of Africa's stars have the best chance of progression.

In the biggest tie of the round, Nice -- the surprise package in Ligue 1 last season -- travel to Ajax's newly branded Johan Cruijff ArenA for a showdown with the four-time European champions after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The outstanding player of last week's match between the duo was Ivorian midfielder Jean Seri, who ran the show in midfield and delivered the decisive assist - after snaking past Nick Viergever - for Mario Balotelli's opener.

Alassane Plea came off the bench for Les Aiglons in the first leg and, with Balotelli ruled out of the return due to injury, the Franco-Malian could step into a key role up front.

One of Africa's finest midfielders is going to be left disappointed, with Ajax able to call upon Morocco's Hakim Ziyech, as well as Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Another one of Africa's most high-profile performers - Emmanuel Adebayor - is also set for an anxious midweek clash to see if he will have another shot at the big time.

The Togo frontman played for 90 minutes as Istanbul Basaksehir let a 3-2 away lead slip to draw 3-3 at Club Brugge last week, with Nigeria's Dennis Bonaventure opening the scoring for the Belgians.

Perhaps Zimbabwe's Marvelous Nakamba - a summer signing from Vitesse Arnhem - could hold the key for Brugge, as he'll be charged with breaking up the home side's attacks and protecting his defence.

Another Nigerian who found the net in the first leg is Tony Nwakaeme, who opened the scoring as Hapoel Be'er Sheva defeated Anicet's Ludogorets Razgrad 2-0 at home.

The Israeli champs ultimately missed out on the UCL group stage last term before embarking on a memorable Europa League campaign, but Nwakaeme and John Ogu will be desperate to go one step further this time around.

It would take something special from Ludogorets - even with home advantage - to salvage this one.

Nigerian fans would love to see Nwakaeme and Ogu reach the UCL group stage, where they'll likely join Aaron Samuel, whose CSKA Moscow are in a strong position after winning 2-0 at AEK Athens on Tuesday.

Emmanuel Emenike's Olympiakos enjoyed more fortune than their Greek rivals in the first leg, with the ex-Super Eagles frontman breaking his duck with Thrylos only two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the first leg.

Emenike has always had a strong sense of the theatre of football, and he'd love to find the net again in front of the home fans this week.

His strike took some attention away from Ben Nabouhane's double on his debut - two years after signing for Olympiakos.

You don't get too many Comorian forwards who take the UCL by storm, but if the evidence of the first leg victory at Partizan Belgrade was anything to go by, Nabouhane might be set to buck the trend!

Mehdi Carcela and Alaixys Romao also featured for the Greek heavyweights.

Franco-Cameroonian Olivier Ntcham made a positive first impression in Celtic's 0-0 draw at home against Rosenborg in the first leg, even if it was a disappointing evening for the Scottish giants.

Brendan Rodgers' side have the quality to score away and the experience to see out the contest, while Ntcham should continue to improve after spending more time training with his new teammates.

Dieumerci Mbokani enjoyed a July to remember as he returned to fitness and form with Dynamo Kyiv after a disappointing campaign on loan at Hull City last term.

The powerful Congolese frontman is a well-rounded attacker, even if he doesn't always get it together, and after scoring a delightful goal in Kyiv's 3-1 first-leg triumph over Roger Assale's Young Boys.

Mbokani has revealed that clubs in Turkey and England are keen on his services, and he may well be keen on making another big impression in the second leg in order to attract more suitors, with his future still uncertain.

One of Mbokani's international teammates - Junior Kabananga - also found the net in the last round, opening the scoring as FC Astana romped to a 3-1 home triumph over Legia Warsaw.

No one will fancy the long trip to Kazakhstan in the next round, while the all-African strikeforce of Kabananga and Ghana's Patrick Twumasi know how to punish defenders in a variety of different ways!

In Belarus, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Simon Deli will be charged with protecting Slavia Prague's slim 1-0 lead from the first leg against BATE Borisov, while South African frontman Dino Ndlovu has the potential to be a matchwinner as Qarabag go to FC Sheriff following their 0-0 stalemate in the first leg.