…Kings Kangwa declares after UEFA Champions League debut
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
CHIPOLOPOLO midfielder Kings Kangwa says he is proud to have made his debut in the lucrative UEFA Champions League with Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade who had to give up a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 to defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Kangwa was introduced in the 83rd minute for South Korean midfielder Hwang In-Beom for the 1991 European Cup winners who scored first through Ghanaian striker Osman Bukari.
Bukari finished off a great through ball from Mirko Ivanivic to silence the noisy Manchester City fans who had filled Etihad Stadium to capacity.
City took less than 90 seconds to level after the restart as Alvarez raced onto Erling Haaland’s return pass, rounded Red Star keeper Omri Glazer before squeezing the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.
Glazer spoiled an otherwise superb performance 13 minutes later when he failed to deal with Alvarez’s free-kick as City went ahead.
Rodri, whose last European goal was the historic effort that secured the trophy against Inter Milan in June ensured City took a successful first step towards this season’s final at Wembley by scoring their third goal 11 minutes before the Zambian international was introduced.
After he was subbed in, Kangwa completed 88 percent of his passes and made one brilliant tackle and was fouled once after shielding the ball against two City players.
“Forget about the defeat but keep content. I’m super proud to have made UEFA Champions League debut, hungry for more,” Kangwa posted on his social media platforms after the game.
“Lastly, that’s something I will never forget. Thank you so much for the support. God is the greatest,” Kangwa said.
The former Buildcon midfielder becomes the sixth Zambian to play in the Champions’ League group stage after Kalusha Bwalya, Fwayo Tembo, Enock Mwepu, Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala Junior.
Manchester City join German’s RB Leipzig on top of the group with three points. Young Boys and Red Star are on zero points.
In the matchday two fixtures to be played on October 4, 2023, Kanga will look forward to start against Young Boys in Belgrade while Leipzig will host Manchester City.
The Red Star versus Young Boys match could see two Zambians, Kangwa and defender Miguel Changa Chaiwa facing off.
