Scores and recaps
Legon Cities FC 1 – Asante Kotoko 3
The Royals’ first home game in Accra garnered a massive amount of hype and enthusiasm. The result left many wanting.
Legon Cities was first off the mark with a daring run by Panayotis Papadopoulos, into the six yard box that led to the first goal. Unfortunately, the Porcupines were able to pin back the debutantes, finding the net against a frayed Legon Cities defense who had no answer for Burkina Faso international Sogne Yacouba’s precise passing.
TRAU 0 – Punjab FC 0
The Warriors’ visit to newcomers Tiddim Road Athletic Union (of Impahl, Manipur) seemed primed to provide many points.
Unfortunately, despite some dogged attacks and pretty passing by midfielders Cavin Lobo and Sanjuh Pradan, they couldn’t find the right touch to put the ball past keeper Mithun Samanta. The draw left Punjab third in the table, but with title rivals holding games in hand, it will feel like an opportunity wasted.
News and Notes
Transfer Season Opens with Rosenborg’s Swedish Star
While most of the global transfer buzz surrounds which 18 year old is about to command a prince’s ransom from the epic powers of European football, it’s worth remembering that every team seeks to improve themselves.
In particular, Rosenborg Ballklub (RBK) in Norway will be looking to boost their standard in European performance following another dismal tour in the Europa League. To that end they brought in Dino Islamovic from Sweden’s Ostersund to bolster their attack.
Islamovic’s pedigree includes being part of an Ostersund side that beat Arsenal in London at the start of 2018 and a history of selections by Swedish youth teams. By himself, he seems unlikely to boost RBK back into consistent European contention, but he’ll improve a tiring and aged attack for sure.
Grizzlies Welcome Transfer
Similar to RBK, the Lady Griz would like to return to the most prestigious competitions (in their case, the NCAA tournament). To that end, they’ve welcomed in a transfer from Forest Lake, Minnesota (via North Dakota) Mimi Eiden
Eiden, part of the Liberian diaspora in the Twin Cities, will bring a knack for attack to Missoula where, despite her smaller stature (5’3″), she plays with big energy and excellent intensity born of battling 16 siblings in her family. (We also whole-heartedly endorse using North Dakota as a stop over between Minnesota and Montana…sorry North Dakota.)
What’s Next?
Friday, January 10th
12:00 AM Real Kashmir v Punjab FC
6 & 8 AM SC Freiburg v Borussia Munchengladbach (Friendlies)
1:00 PM AC Ajaccio v Grenoble Foot 38
*Alebrijes de Oaxaca match Postponed*
Sunday, January 12th
9:00 AM Dreams FC v Legon Cities FC
MacKenzie's Boot Room 