Understand
Manasse Kianga's journey from Sunday league football to the Champions League
Overview
South African striker Manasse Kianga has progressed from playing Sunday league football and ninth-tier English club Rossington Main in 2023 to playing for Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League. After moving to England in 2017 and facing difficulties obtaining a permanent work permit that led to a return to South Africa in 2024, Kianga eventually secured a move to the Slovakian champions, helping them reach Europe's premier club competition under the management of Yaya Toure.
Key points
- Manasse Kianga was playing Sunday league football and for ninth-tier English side Rossington Main as recently as 2023.
- He scored an injury-time winner in the final round of qualifying to help Slovan Bratislava reach the Champions League.
- Kianga previously studied at Thomas Rotherham College, where he starred in their football academy.
- Work permit issues forced him to return to South Africa in 2024 before he subsequently made his way to Europe.
- He is now part of Slovan Bratislava's squad managed by Yaya Toure in the Champions League.