Kenyan midfielder Collins Sichenje finally made his much awaited debut for AIK which came at one of the biggest stages as they beat Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in the UEFA Europa Conference League.AIK sealed a place in the competition after finishing runners up in the Swedish top tier last season, missing out on the title by virtue of an inferior goal difference to eventual champions Malmo FF.Sichenje makes debut in style as AIK come from behind to advance to UECL third roundSichenje was thrown straight into the deep end after he was handed his debut in a crucial tie that AIK needed to win in order to progress to the Third Qualifying Round after losing the first leg 2-3.The former AFC Leopards midfielder was drafted into the starting line up in place of Yasin Ayari who started in the first leg defeat that was still played in Sweden due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.##NAJAVA_MECA_6528276##Sichenje impressed as he helped AIK to a clean sheet and lasted 105 minutes before being subbed off for Jasper Ceesay as the game went into extra time after a 1-0 win in 90 minutes but Alex Björnström scored the winner in the 107th minute.AIK head coach Bartosz Grzelak was left impressed after trusting Sichenje with a start and was amazed at how the lanky midfielder handled himself on the big stage.Kenyan trio included in AIK’s do or die UEFA Conference League clash“Stepping into the Conference League against a team of Vorskla’s capacity and playing in that way is not easy. It definitely warms a coach’s heart to see such young guys succeed,” said Grzelak.AIK will now face the winner between Shkendija, from North Macedonia, and Valmiera from Latvia who play on Thursday 28 July.
