Chaiwa set to become the youngest Zambian to play in the Champions League group stage

Since the rebranding of Europe’s biggest club competition in 1992, five Zambian stars have debuted in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The youngest to do so is Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka, who made his maiden appearance at the age of 20 years, 345 days.

Daka came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for hat-trick hero Erling Haaland in RB Salzburg’s 6-2 demolition of K.R.C. Genk back in 2019.

Other Zambian stars that debuted in the Champions League group stage in their early years include Fwayo Tembo, Enock Mwepu, Kalushya, and Fashion Sakala.

Ultimately, Miguel Chaiwa will look to mirror former Zambian international Charles Musonda’s record of debuting in Europe’s major club competition as a teenager. Before its rebranding in 1992, the UEFA Champions League was formerly known as the European Cup.

Back in 1987, Musonda started his maiden European Cup match at the age of just 18 years, 25 days, in RSC Anderlecht’s 1-0 win at Malmö FF.

Meanwhile, Chaiwa’s shot at making history in the UEFA Champions League could be as soon as Tuesday, when BSC Young Boys host RB Leipzig in their opening group match of the 2023–24 season.

However, with Chaiwa’s 20th birthday only coming in April 2024, the former Shamuel Academy star can still set his record as a Zambian teenage debutant in any of the six group stage matches.

Gerald Mambo September 19, 2023

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Gerald Bupe Mambo is a sports writer and statistical analyst from Zambia, currently working for Bolanews. He brings a captivating blend of creative writing and data expertise to his work, crafting detailed and eloquent accounts of events, stories, and personalities within the football world.