Nakamba Debuts at UEFA Champions League

Midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made his UEFA Champions League debut last night when he featured for his Belgian outfit Club Brugge in a Group A clash against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid at the Venue: Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

Nakamba was introduced as a 56th minute substitute for Schrijvers but the Zimbabwean international was powerless to stop a dominant Atletico from cruising to a comfortable 3-1 lead.

The defeat left Nakamba side still chasing their first Champions League win in seven matches and was their second loss in the current campaign.

But it was Nakamba’s introduction early into the second half that must have excited many Zimbabweans as it gave the midfielder the requisite game time and exposure ahead of the Warriors back to back African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Democratic Republic of Congo on October 13 and 16.

Nakamba missed the Warriors’ last Nations Cup Group assignments against Congo in Brazzaville as he was nursing an injury for which club Brugge had to send him to Spain for treatment.

He looked to have fully recovered as he took his place in the Brugge midfield but a fired up Atletico, one of the pre-tournament favourites proved too strong for the Belgians.

Antoine Griezmann scored twice against Club Brugge on last night as Atletico Madrid made a winning start at the stadium they hope to return to for the Champions League final next year.

Arnaut Groeneveld’s stunning long-range effort pulled Brugge level shortly before half-time but Griezmann added a second, before his driving run allowed Koke to wrap up a 3-1 victory late on.