Albanian relief for Partizani and Bintsouka
Four straight defeats had left Partizani Tirana gasping for air, so the narrow 1-0 win over Flamurtari, confirmé par la Fédération albanaise (FAF), felt heavier than three simple points.
- Albanian relief for Partizani and Bintsouka
- Samba brothers sparkle despite City setback
- Mixed emotions on Belgian turf
- Lokomotiv Sofia stumble in Bulgaria
- Cypriot goals rain without Congolese footprints
- Rijeka held to draw in Croatia
- What the weekend means for the national coach
- Eyes on October’s domestic derby
- Travel, broadcast and fan tips
Striker Archange Bintsouka, on the bench after a demanding September, came on at the 58th minute. Five minutes later, Partizani scored the winner, a timing that the local daily Panorama Sport called “symbolic of his energising presence”.
The Pointe-Noire native did not touch the ball on the decisive move, yet his pressing unsettled Flamurtari’s back line, proof that influence is not always measured in goals.
Samba brothers sparkle despite City setback
On Merseyside, Manchester City’s U18s battled Liverpool in a five-goal thriller eventually lost 3-2. Midfield twins Tyrone and Floyd Samba both started, continuing a storyline closely followed by the English academy press.
Floyd opened the scoring with a low drive after 12 minutes, registering his sixth goal in seven league appearances, according to the Premier League youth site. Tyrone, orchestrating play from the left half-space, lasted until the 84th minute before being replaced to freshen legs.
City coach Ben Wilkinson praised the pair’s chemistry on the club’s in-house channel, saying it was “like watching telepathy at times”. The brothers, born in Manchester to Congolese parents, remain eligible for Congo-Brazzaville under FIFA rules.
Mixed emotions on Belgian turf
In Belgium’s top tier, RAAL La Louvière shared the spoils 0-0 with Westerlo. Midfielder Alexis Beka Beka, recovering from a minor knock, was spared and instead clocked minutes with the reserves, a decision confirmed by La Dernière Heure.
Two rungs lower, a seesaw 3-3 draw between Schaerbeek-Evere and Namur left winger Yannick Loemba ruing lost points. The 33-year-old thought he had sealed the match with a deft back-header for 3-1, but defensive lapses undermined his effort.
“We must learn to kill games,” Loemba told RTBF after the final whistle, emphasising that the division’s tight margins demand ninety-minute focus.
Lokomotiv Sofia stumble in Bulgaria
Lokomotiv Sofia’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to CSKA 1948 halted their climb toward the European play-off zone. Central defender Messi Biatoumoussoka played the full ninety, tasked with containing experienced striker Rúben Černák.
Ryan Bidounga, a former CSKA 1948 player, missed the reunion through illness. Coach Danilo Doncic lamented his absence post-match to the Bulgarian outlet Sport Live, hinting that Bidounga’s aerial strength might have prevented the decisive corner kick goal.
Cypriot goals rain without Congolese footprints
Over on the Mediterranean island, Pafos FC flattened Achnas 4-0, yet forward Mons Bassouamina spent the evening under the fluorescent bench warmers. The staff, cited by Cyprus Mail, say rotation is key ahead of a congested cup schedule.
At Paralimni, AEK Larnaka triumphed 2-0 but left-back Jérémie Gnali remained an unused substitute. Coach José Luis Oltra praised the squad’s depth, promising “minutes for everyone” once Europa Conference qualifiers resume. For now, patience is the watchword.
Rijeka held to draw in Croatia
Croatian title chasers HNK Rijeka travelled to Slaven Belupo and emerged with a 1-1 draw. Congolese international Merveil Ndockyt was not in the match-day group, officially “rested” after international duty last week, club media reported.
Despite his absence, Rijeka dominated possession, and local pundits on MAXtv expressed confidence that Ndockyt’s creativity will be essential in upcoming fixtures against Osijek and Dinamo Zagreb.
What the weekend means for the national coach
Diables Rouges selector Paul Put, reached by phone from Brazzaville, said he monitors every minute his expatriates log. “Form is a passport, but attitude is the visa,” he remarked, applauding Bintsouka’s impact and Floyd Samba’s goal.
Put, however, urged caution on reading single games. “Consistency over months is what earns a ticket to the World Cup qualifiers in November,” he added. The message rings especially true for bench-bound talents in Cyprus and Croatia.
Eyes on October’s domestic derby
While Europe offers a glittering shop window, several of these players may return home for the October charity derby between AS Otohô and Diables Noirs, a fixture aimed at funding youth academies. Talks with clubs are ongoing, Fecofoot confirmed.
If approvals arrive, youngsters like Floyd Samba could taste the Brazzaville cauldron for the first time, linking the diaspora directly with local supporters and grassroots hopefuls.
Travel, broadcast and fan tips
Canal+ Afrique will air extended highlights of the Albanian, Belgian and Croatian matches on Tuesday night, while the Premier League Youth feed remains free on City+. Data-conscious fans can stream condensed versions via the Congolese Football Hub Telegram channel.
For those dreaming of jersey replicas, Partizani and Rijeka shirts are back in stock at the Avenue Matsoua sport store, priced 22,500 FCFA. City’s U18 kit is available only online, with shipping partners estimating a two-week delivery to Pointe-Noire.
