Warriors midfielder Archford Gutu is thrilled after finally making his debut in the Uefa Europa League since his move to Sweden last year.
The former Dynamos playmaker helped his club Kalmar FF to a convincing 4-0 home win over Northern Ireland club Cliftonville in the competition’s qualifying round second leg match on Thursday last week.
Gutu did not take part in the first leg match away to Ireland with a groin problem which left him “hurt”. Kalmar FF lost the match 1-0.
However, the skilful player bounced back into the first team for the reverse fixture and played 85 minutes of the game.
“I was really hurt when I missed the first match because I was looking forward to the Europa games since I joined this club,” Gutu told NewsDay Sport from his Swedish base yesterday.
“It was a good feeling for me and I had one of my best games for Kalmar so far. Kalmar have good players and I think we will make a huge mark in the tournament although it will not be that easy.”
Although he did not score in the match, the club’s official website reported that Gutu was influential as he provided assists for the first two goals scored by Eric Israelsson and Nenad Djordjevic. “Archie Gutu was industrious and efficient here, a trouble helping in defence and offering flickers of threat at the other,” reported the website.
The website further reported that Gutu was involved in the third goal when a free-kick he had won was scored by Senegal international Abiola Dauda as Kalmar raced to a 3-nil half-time lead.
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Kalmar goalkeeper Etrit Berisha converted a stoppage time penalty as the Swedish team booked a berth in the second qualifying round against NK Osijek of Croatia on Thursday.
Gutu joined Kalmar during the January transfer window on a six-month loan contract, but just three months into the deal, the club offered the gifted player a three- and-a-half year long contract.
