Taiwo Relishes Champions League Opener

Dynamo Kiev’s Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo (C) is about to renew his personal rivalry against PSG. Dynamo Kiev’s Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo, who is about to renew his personal rivalry against Paris Saint Germain, believes Tuesday’s Champions League clash in the French capital will be crucial for both teams’ hopes of progress.

“The opening match in any tournament in always very important,” Taiwo said. “This result may influence the entire campaign. And for me personally it will be very interesting to play the opener against PSG.”

Taiwo played seven seasons at PSG’s old rivals Marseille, winning the 2010 league title and the French League Cup twice, in 2010 and 2011. He played 271 matches and scored 25 goals.

Last season Taiwo was bought by AC Milan but played only four matches in Serie A and four in the Champions League before joining English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers on loan. This season Taiwo switched to Dynamo Kiev, making his debut in the Ukraine league on August 3 in the match with Krivyi Rig which Dynamo won 1-0. He is the fourth Nigerian on the Kiev side’s books. “I know all the Nigerian footballers who are playing with Dynamo and I hope it will help me adapt to life in Kiev quickly and successfully,” Taiwo told AFP.

“I am close friends with Yussuf Ayila. We spend much time together and his advice concerning life in Ukraine is really precious for me.”

?

?

?