Uche Shines in La Liga Debut for Getafe
- Uche, a Nigerian midfielder, made an impressive start in the Spanish league with Getafe.
- The debut saw Uche scoring a goal in the draw against Athletic Bilbao.
- This marks a significant journey for Uche, who used to play in the fifth division of Spanish soccer just two years ago.
MADRID (AP) — Nigerian midfielder Christantus Uche made a remarkable entrance into Spain's top soccer league, scoring a goal in his debut for Getafe on the opening day of the season. The 21-year-old, who previously played in the fifth division, found the net with a powerful header following a corner kick in the 64th minute, securing a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames Stadium. Uche expressed his joy, stating, “To score a goal in my debut is amazing. I’m really happy.” Uche's journey to the top tier began with a transfer from fifth-division club Moralo to third-division side Ceuta for a modest fee of 800 euros (approximately $877) last year. Athletic Bilbao, the defending Copa del Rey champion, initially took the lead in the match with a goal from Oihan Sancet in the 27th minute, but Uche's equalizer showcased his potential and determination. In other matches, Girona, last season's surprise team finishing third, also opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Real Betis. Gabriel Misehouy scored a late equalizer for Girona after Marc Bartra had given Betis an early lead. Girona faces challenges this season following the departure of key players, while Betis aims to build on their seventh-place finish from the previous season. As the league progresses, defending champions Real Madrid, now featuring Kylian Mbappé, will kick off their season against Mallorca, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are set to face Valencia and Villarreal, respectively.