Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.

Coach Vincent Mashami’s team secured victory by defeating the reigning champions of the Rwanda Premier League, APR FC, in a penalty shoot-out with a score of 6-5. The final match took place at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday and concluded with a draw of 0-0.

Both teams had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize on them. Yunusu Nshimiyimana had the best chance for APR FC, while Elijah Ani and Richard Kilongozi also came close for Police FC.

Mashami, whose team had undergone pre-season training in Uganda and played several warm-up matches, expressed that winning the Super Cup provided strong motivation for the upcoming season. He added, “We need to continue working hard because there are many matches ahead, including the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.”

Following their Super Cup victory, Police FC will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match against CS Constantine in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, which will take place in Algeria.

On the other hand, APR FC, who secured the second position in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last month, will shift their focus to their upcoming away match against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which will take place next weekend.

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance to Coppa Italia round of 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance in Coppa Italia

Cesena advanced to the 16th round of the Coppa Italia after winning against a Serie A team away from home. They will now face Pisa or Frosinone.

Sierra Leone International scored for Cesena again, helping them progress in the Italian Serie B Coppa Italia. Hellas Verona’s first official match of the season ended in a defeat against Cesena in the round of 32 of the Italian Cup.

In the first half, Romagnoli took the lead with a goal in the 44th minute by Kargbo, who converted a right-footed shot from Bastoni’s assist.

At the start of the second half, the Bianconeri scored again through Shpendi, assisted by Kargbo. In the 75th minute, Tengstedt scored for Hellas Verona, making the final score 1-2.

In the next round, Cesena will play against the winner of the Frosinone-Pisa match, scheduled for Monday at 18:00.

Turkish side Ankara Keciorengucu unveil Steven Caulker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker makes debut in Keçiörengücü’s opening draw

Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker played his first game for his Turkish team Keçiörengücü on Friday in the season’s opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Keçiörengücü, who played away against Sakaryaspor in the first week of the Trendyol 1st League 2024-2025 season, left the field with a 1-1 draw.

New acquisition Caulker played the full throttle of the game – his first 90-minute of action since February.

Striker Aliou Traore scored the visitor’s opener, but his goal was cancelled in the 56th minute through Emre Demir’s leveller.

In July 2024, Caulker returned to Turkey after signing a one-year deal with TFF First League club Keçiörengücü, with the option of a further one-year extension.

Keciorengucu’s next league action is against Bandirmaspor on Saturday, August 17, in front of the home fans.

Fornah's Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fornah’s Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers secured a strong 4-2 victory over Derby County, with goals from Sammie Szmodics, Andreas Weimann, and Yuki Ohashi.

A first-half strike from Blackburn attacker Tyrhys Dolan was equalized by Curtis Nelson’s header in the second half, followed by rapid goals from Andi Weimann and Sammie Szmodics, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage.

Weimann, playing against his former club, scored with his second touch after coming on as a substitute, and Szmodics continued his scoring form from last season when he was the division’s top scorer.

Japanese forward Ohashi added a fourth goal, and Kane Wilson scored a consolation goal for Derby.

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah was an 86-minute substitute replacing David Ozoh Derby’s new signing.

Post-match reaction – Blackburn boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:

“We’ve had seven weeks of work in pre-season and there’s been good things and also bad things that we’ve had to put right.

“It’s only the start – there’s so much hard work ahead of us, but it was pleasing to see that performance today.

“I thought every player that was on that pitch was outstanding. But there’s a lot more hard work ahead.”

Derby boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby:

At 1-1, I honestly thought we would go on and win the match. We got punished for our mistakes, and it’s a quick lesson for us. You can’t go away from home and concede four goals and expect to come away with anything.

I was pleased with large parts of our play, but not with the final score. In the second half, we gave it our all, scored a goal, and I believed we could win. We were on top, and I made the mistake of probably not making my substitutions quickly enough. I think the turning point was when they made changes and brought on fresh legs – outstanding fresh legs.legs.”

Derby will face Chesterfield at Pride Park Stadium in Round One of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday at 7:45 pm.

Ex-QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo elated to join Newport County
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo elated to join Newport County

English League Two side Newport County has added former Queens Park Rangers striker Hamzad Kargbo to their team after a successful trial. Kargbo, a 6’4″ centre forward, is the Exiles’ 13th summer recruit.

Newport’s League Two campaign starts on Saturday away to Cheltenham Town. Kargbo, 22, has been on trial with Newport for much of the close season, playing in friendlies against Pontypridd United, Kidderminster Harriers, Bristol Rovers, and Hereford.

Kargbo expressed his excitement about joining the team, stating, “As soon as I first came here I could feel it in my heart that it was a place I wanted to be and here I am.”

He mentioned that it’s never easy coming in as a trialist, but he felt welcomed right away and is looking forward to working hard throughout pre-season to show what he can bring to the squad.

Kargbo has been with QPR since 12 years old and has been a regular in the Rangers’ under-23s during the last two seasons. He has also had loan spells at Vanarama National League sides Southend United and Oxford City.