The UEFA Champions League, which is the biggest interclub football competition, has seen a good number of African players take part, with various clubs going as far as breaking and setting records.
However, since it was rebranded in 1992, not many Zambian players have had the privilege to play in this elite league.
BolaNews spotlights the few Zambians who have competed in the UEFA Champions League group stage since its rebrand.
PATSON DAKA- RB SALZBURG
Patson Daka played in the UEFA Champions League for Austrian giants RB Salzburg in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. He has played ten games and is the only Zambian to have scored in the competition.
He set the record for the first Zambian to score in the Champions League group stage in 2020 against KRC Genk in a 1-4 win.
Daka also assisted against Loki Moscow in the same season.
ENOCK MWEPU- RB SALZBURG
Enock Mwepu holds the record for the most appearances made in the UEFA Champions League group stage by a Zambian, having played eleven games for RB Salzburg.
Over two seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021), the retired midfielder registered four assists in the competition in a 4-3 loss to Liverpool, a 1-4 win against KRC Genk, and a 1-3 win over Loko Moscow.
Fashion Sakala- Rangers FC
Sakala made three appearances in the group stage during the 2021-22 season while at Rangers FC.
The winger played against Liverpool, Napoli, and Ajax with the Gers.
Fwayo Tembo- FC Basel
Tembo played in the group stage with FC Basel in the 2010–2011 season.
The former Zambian quick forward played 90 minutes against CFR Cluj in Basel’s 1-0 Group E win. Tembo also played 17 and 14 minutes in the return leg against Bayern Munich and CFR Cluj, respectively.
KALUSHYA BWALYA- PSV
Bwalya, Zambia’s third-highest international goalscorer with 39 in 87 games, began his Champions League campaign in the playoffs in 1992 when he appeared in PSV’s 6-0 win over Zalgris. In that game, he only played 18 minutes.
Great Kalu, as he is affectionately known, went on to play 77 minutes against IFK Goteborg in 1993 before appearing in a 0-1 Group B loss to FC Porto.
His compatriot, Charles Musonda, who was playing for RSC Anderlecht at the time, only made it to the bench against AC Millan and Werder Bremen in the Champions League group stage.
