Flying Start For Loubongo In German North
The first cold breeze of the German autumn still feels weeks away, yet Aurel Loubongo has already found the heat. Handed a maiden start for VfB Oldenbourg in the Regionalliga Nord, the 21-year-old winger needed only nine minutes to show why the club’s scouting cell insisted on his signature. Collecting a quick diagonal on the edge of the box, he created half a yard with a shimmy and lashed a low drive inside the far post. The home back-line of Norderstedt never fully recovered. Midway through the second half Loubongo shaved the bar and, moments later, provoked a penalty that centre-forward Max Facklam converted for the 3-1 win. “He gives us verticality,” coach Dario Fossi told local daily Nordwest Zeitung, underlining the Congolese-German’s direct running and game intelligence.
Tchicamboud Opens Account In Austrian Third Tier
Two hours south-east, Queyrell Tchicamboud was chasing his own breakthrough with LASK Linz II. Kept out of the Bundesliga squad that fell 0-2 to Sturm Graz, the former Paris FC prospect accepted the assignment of leading the youthful reserve team and responded with authority. On 21 minutes he ghosted between the centre-backs to meet a low cross and steered it inside the near upright. The 3-1 success at Ried II steadied nerves after a bumpy pre-season. “I came to Austria for minutes, not for selfies,” he quipped on the club’s web channel, hinting at the hunger that made him leave France this summer.
Bidounga Marshals Lokomotiv Sofia Back Line
Bulgaria offered a different storyline: less fireworks, more discipline. Lokomotiv Sofia needed both to dismiss newly promoted Montana 3-0 and stay glued to the podium after three rounds. Ryan Bidounga, lining up on the right of a back three, collected an early yellow card for a crunching tackle yet never looked close to a second. The 25-year-old delivered eight clearances and five winning headers, according to stats provider Gong.bg, shutting the door on Montana’s lone striker Aleksandar Kolev. Fellow Congolese defender Messie Biatoumoussoka, recovering from a hamstring niggle, watched from the stands but is expected back in full training next week.
Ndockyt Keeps Champions Rijeka On Track
In Croatia, defending champions HNK Rijeka faced a familiar dilemma: how to break down a stubborn Slaven Koprivnica. Merveil Ndockyt, preferred on the right flank, buzzed around the half-spaces and repeatedly drew double coverage, yet the scoreboard stayed stuck at 0-0 when coach Sergej Jakirović opted for fresh legs on the hour. The substitution paid off in stoppage time as the title holders finally squeezed out a 2-0 verdict, evidence that squad depth remains a strength. Local portal Novi List reports that Ndockyt’s workload is being managed carefully after his late arrival from national-team duty in June.
Bassinga’s Header Lifts Dila Gori Spirits
Few journeys look longer than the one from European heartbreak to domestic routine, but Déo Gracias Bassinga bridged that gap in four days. Knocked out of the Europa Conference League qualifiers on Wednesday despite scoring, Dila Gori’s striker again found the net in Sunday’s 3-1 success over Gareji in the Georgian Erovnuli Liga. His 34th-minute header, arriving unseen at the far post to meet a looping cross from Ivorian winger Stéphane Tiboué, set the tone for an afternoon of measured control. “Déo is fearless in the box,” assistant coach Levan Khmaladze told broadcaster Adjarasport. The Brazzaville native now counts two goals across 495 league minutes, a ratio the club believes will climb as his understanding with playmaker Boko Daf returns.
What This Means For The Red Devils
National-team boss Paul Put, expected in Europe next week for a scouting swing, will have taken note. The September World Cup qualifier double-header looms, and form matters. Loubongo’s thrust could add width, Tchicamboud offers versatility in midfield, while Bidounga’s aerial ability might complement Prince Oniangué at the heart of defence. Ndockyt and Bassinga, already senior regulars, underline the positive momentum that seems to follow Congolese forwards this month.
Eyes On The Calendar And The Transfer Window
With the summer market entering its decisive fortnight, agents circle. Austrian papers mention that Sturm Graz retain an option on Tchicamboud, whereas Lokomotiv Sofia have reportedly placed a €1.2-million valuation on Bidounga amid interest from Belgium. Oldenbourg insist Loubongo is untouchable until at least January, a stance that mirrors Dila Gori’s refusal to entertain offers for Bassinga. For now, however, the numbers that truly count are the ones on the scoreboard. If this weekend is an indicator, Congo’s travelling Devils are ready to keep them ticking over, one strike, one interception, one timely header at a time.