Nekesa comes off the bench as Slavia Praha secure first ever Champions League group stage victory

Harambee Starlets forward Marjolen Nekesa made an appearance from the bench as her side - Slavia Praha - on Thursday night secured their first victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Austrian side SKN St. Pölten at Lokotrans Aréna in Mladá Boleslav.

The 25 year old was introduced into the game after 73 minutes with the score at 1-0, coming on to replace 26 year old starter Karolína Křivská, as she did in Slavia’s reverse tie in Austria on 13 December.

After a goalless first half, the hosts finally broke through for the first time in Group B when Michaela Khýrová was sent through on goal by Tereza Krejčiříková to fire into the net inside the 56th minute.

Slavia were forced to hang on late in the rescheduled contest, as goalkeeper Olivie Lukášová was forced to a double save from Mária Mikolajová and Mattner-Trembleau with six minutes to go, ultimately sealing the timely win for the Czech champions, who are now third in Group B, and with a chance to qualify to the knockouts.

With three points separating them from the top two positions that guarantee a quarter finals place, Slavia now need a win against Brann next Thursday to stay in contention.

"We are really happy to have won,” Slavia Praha head coach Karel Piták said post-game. “We went for it right from the first minute and I think we deserved it.

“We never stopped believing that we could score even after we missed good chances. I am really glad for this victory."

Marjolen Nekesa makes Champions League start in group game loss to Brann

Slavia next face Norwegian side Brann at home on 25 January before wrapping up their group stage games with a trip to France to face Lyon on 31 January.