Day: February 6, 2026

Winger Augustus Kargbo is hungry for a return to Blackburn Rovers action
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Winger Augustus Kargbo is hungry for a return to Blackburn Rovers action

Stepping up his Blackburn Rovers recovery programme, Sierra Leonean international Augustus Kargbo is still on his path back to total fitness.

Kargbo, 26, last played in their 2-0 defeat against Coventry in October last year. He was substituted off in that match in the 63rd minute.

The forward has been building match sharpness and physical strength following time away from competitive activity under the direction of the club’s medical and coaching staff.

Already starting light individual training sessions, Kargbo is slowly reintroduced to higher-intensity workouts, noted for his pace, agility, and eye for the goal. He told Blackburn Media that the past three months have been a difficult period for him.

“Putting it into words, the past three months have been through a lot, physically, mentally and emotionally as well. I have learned so many things on and off the pitch.

There are many aspects of myself and life that I view as positive. It’s all part of God’s plan, even though it has been difficult to be put off for a very long time. This is the longest I have been in my career with an injury. I feel hungrier, and I am looking forward to being back.”

Ademola Lookman nets as Atletico Madrid thrash Real Betis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman nets as Atletico Madrid thrash Real Betis

In a powerful 5–0 win over Real Betis on Thursday, which guaranteed a spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, Ademola Lookman stole the spotlight on his Atletico Madrid debut with a goal and an assist.

Having recently arrived from Serie A side Atalanta, the 25-year-old Nigerian international performed confidently as Atletico controlled the game at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium.

Goals from David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann, Thiago Almada, and Lookman resulted in a humiliating defeat for Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis, much to the anger of their home crowd.

Looking back at the team’s performance, Griezmann noted, “We moved a lot without the ball and presented choices for whoever held it.” It was a more flexible game, we were in the proper spots, and ultimately we generated the possibilities we were seeking.”

He then went on to compliment Lookman, saying, “We are a very hospitable team, and everyone who joins us is welcomed right away.” With Lookman, we can see; we hope he brings us happiness.

Atletico started strong and took the lead inside the first 12 minutes as a result of captain Koke’s precision corner, which Hancko, a defender, blasted into with a towering header that proved too much for Betis’s goalie Adrian.

Eager to immediately impress, Lookman had two big opportunities to increase the advantage in the first half. He missed a one-on-one chance in the 16th minute; soon after, his first-time shot sailed over the crossbar.

The 30th minute saw the second goal after a fluent sequence of one-touch passes down the left flank. Matteo Ruggeri located Alex Baena, who traded passes with Lookman before the fullback low cross for Giuliano, son of Diego Simeone, smashed it past Adrian.

Named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, Lookman scored his goal in the 37th minute by fending off one defender and dribbling past another in the box before slotting the ball into the left corner.

Atletico slowed their tempo following halftime but still managed to extend their lead with yet another counter-attack. In the 62nd minute, Lookman erupted down the middle, drawing defenders away before passing the ball off to Griezmann, who curled a shot into the top-right corner.

In the 83rd minute, Thiago Almada ended the massacre. Almada acted quickly after positioning Baena for a strike. Adrian could only parry, and he tucked the rebound into an unguarded net.

Early in the second half, Barrios sustained a hamstring injury while running and had to be replaced; this setback came against the otherwise dominating win.

On Friday, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Atletico will all compete for a spot in the final during the semi-final draw. Two legs, set for February 10–12 and March 3–5.