The path from Step 5 English non-league football to the Champions League is not a well-trodden one. The path from Rossington to Bratislava certainly isn’t.

But it’s the one travelled by former Rosso star Manasse Kianga as he sets his sights on match-ups with some of Europe’s footballing heavyweights. The 24-year-old is a proud member of Main’s 100 club, having made 115 appearances across his five years at Oxford Street, but now he finds himself lining up in front of crowds in excess of 20,000 after helping Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava reach the league phase of the Champions League.

‘Manny’, as he is more affectionately known, moved to England with his family in 2017 at the age of 15 and found his home in DN11 when he joined Rossington in 2019. The Rosso regulars quickly fell in love with the speedy forward thanks to his direct, athletic attacking displays, establishing himself as a firm fan favourite from the off.

His spell at Rossington was punctuated by brief spells across the non-league circuit, including with Sheffield FC, but it was at Oxford Street where he made his greatest impact, playing a crucial part in the club’s promotion in 2022/23.

In 2024, however, difficulties obtaining a permanent work-permit forced a move back to South Africa, but such was Manny’s resolve to make it in the game, his chapter in football in Europe was not closed, signing for Slovak third-tier side Lokomotíva Košice the following year.

An impressive, albeit short, spell culminated in four goals in 11 appearances, earning the 51-time Rosso goalscorer a move to the top tier with Slovan Bratislava in 2026.

A return of three goals from nine appearances for the reserves and an injury crisis in the first team saw him given the nod to join up with the senior team from the manager. The manager being none other than former Barcelona and Manchester City star Yaya Touré.

In what will come as no surprise to those who watched him tearing down the flanks in the blue of Rossington over the years, he grasped the opportunity with both hands. His league debut in July saw him register a goal and an assist, whilst days later he scored a stoppage time winner in the first leg of their Champions League Third Qualifying Round tie with Mjällby AIF.

The Slovakian outfit secured their place in the league phase of Europe’s top competition with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Slovenian side Celje in the Play-off Round.

And now trips to reigning back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain and Italy’s AS Roma await Kianaga, who will also be etching dates against Inter Milan, Real Betis, Shakhtar Donetsk, Stuttgart, Lille and LASK into his calendar.

From Rossington to Rome, Manny’s journey is a remarkable inspiration for anyone in non-league looking to cut their teeth at the top of the game.

Well done and keep going Manny!