Manasse Kianga could make his Champions League debut on Wednesday, just three years after playing in the ninth tier of English football. He is part of Slovan Bratislava’s squad as the Slovakian club prepare to take on Stuttgart in Europe’s top club cup competition.
Remarkable rise from ninth tier
The 24-year-old striker has been on a remarkable journey in a short space of time following his starring role for non-league side Rossington Main. Kianga helped the Doncaster side earn promotion to the ninth tier in the 2022/23 season and he is now managed by Manchester City legend Yaya Toure.
It is worlds apart from when the South African moved to Rotherham around 2017. During his early days with Rossington, Kianga studied business and accounting at Thomas Rotherham College and also featured for Team Sport in the Rotherham and District Sunday Football League.
Work permit setback and European move
He was ultimately forced to move back to South Africa in 2024 after failing to secure a permanent work permit. However, Kianga has since found success abroad and could make his Champions League bow with Bratislava after being promoted from the club’s reserves.
The striker came off the bench to score for Toure’s side during Champions League qualifying, helping the Slovakian champions overcome Swedish outfit Mjallby and earn a place in the league phase. Kianga missed out on a spot in the matchday squad when Bratislava faced reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in their opening game but will hope to fulfil his aim against Stuttgart.
Former managers praise journey
Recalling the forward’s non-league journey, Rossington boss Ben Hunter recalled to BBC South Yorkshire: "He came to trial with Rossington and I had a look at him and straight away loved him. He was a really great guy as well and always played with a smile on his face."
"You could see his ability in terms of his speed and physical presence, but he was quite slight," Hunter added. "He stayed with us and he did really well - a lot of higher up teams were interested in him."
Kianga played alongside former Bradford City and Grimsby Town striker Ross Hannah, who said of his old strike partner: "Me and him were a real problem for defenders and teams because of the way we complemented each other. It's amazing the journey he has been on."
Champions League fixtures ahead
The versatile attacker previously joined Lokomotiva Kosice in the Slovakian third tier before heading to Bratislava earlier this year. After starring for their reserves, Kianga initially flourished under new boss Toure, registering two goals and assists apiece in the team’s first three league games.
The forward has since dropped to the bench but will hope to make his mark in the club’s remaining Champions League fixtures, starting with their home match against Stuttgart on Wednesday. Bratislava will also host Real Betis, Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter Milan during the league phase, with away trips to Roma, LASK and Lille also on the horizon.
Rossington boss Hunter was among those who travelled to a Bradford court to support Kianga’s efforts to get a work permit and reflected on how the striker reacted to his setback. "The world was his oyster, I really believed he could have made it pro in England," his former manager said. "He went back to South Africa and from there made a journey across Europe and ended up where he is."
