The only two East Africans in the second tier club championship in Europe “UEFA Europa League” Mbwana Samatta and Farouk Miya were off to a losing start on Thursday as group phase fixtures kicked off in earnest across the continent.
Taifa Stars skipper Samatta featured for his Belgium outfit KRC Genk in a 3-2 loss to Israeli side Rapid Vienna away at Allianz Stadium.
Leon Bailey silenced the home crowd in the 29th minute to give the visitors a slim 1-0 lead into the breather, but on resumption, Vienna rapidly leveled the scores through Joelinton a minute to the hour mark.
Omar Colley turned the ball into his own net a minute after the Joelinton’s to give the hosts 3-1 commanding lead, however, Genk pressed on and were gifted with a penalty which Leon converted in the 90th minute for his brace. The two away goals will be crucial for Genk heading into the second leg at home.
Miya’s Standard Liege let go their lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
It took Mathieu Dossevi just a minute to put Liege onto the driving seat before the home cheers, but they could not hold on or add more goals to run away with the match.
Giuseppe Naranjo restored order in the 13th minute to tie the match 1-1 at half time; the score line would stick as no team managed to get the winner.
Ugandan international Miya did not feature in the match and was nowhere near the reserve team.
@bonfaceosano
