Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport | OneFootball

Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport | OneFootball

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·24 August 2026

Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport

Article image:Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport

Bobby Kamwa has spoken out after his Emmanuel Adebayor-esque celebration against former club Newport County

Bristol Rovers' 5-3 win over Newport County was arguably the game of the weekend in the EFL on matchday 2.


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It had everything a Severnside derby would want. Eight goals, one of which came inside 15 seconds from Newport's Harrison Biggins, and a celebration from Rovers' Bobby Kamwa that Emmanuel Adebayor would be proud of.

The 26-year-old moved from the Exiles to Bristol Rovers this past summer, following two years in South Wales. Last season, he played a massive part in the club's survival under Christian Fuchs, scoring three goals in the final two games, helping Newport finish four points above the drop.

However, there was no love lost for their former player in the away end on Saturday, and Kamwa responded after he netted a wonderful first goal for his new club to put them 4-2 up at the time.

Bobby Kamwa celebrated in front of the Newport County fans after scoring against them on Saturday

Article image:Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport

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Kamwa admitted before the game on Saturday that he didn't know what to expect from the travelling Newport fans at the Memorial Ground. The Gas are their main rivals this season, so making the move across enemy lines was always going to be a risky decision.

"I'm a Rovers player, and all my focus is on Rovers right now," he told BBC Radio Bristol. "I'm looking to beat them on Saturday."

When asked if he was going to celebrate if he scored the winning goal against his former club, Kamwa responded, "It's a tough one because I'm not sure what reception I'm going to get. So, I'll go off the reception. If you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you. If you give me boos, that might just turn me on a little."

Well, from how he celebrated the goal he scored against Newport to reopen a two-goal barrier with 15 minutes to go, it's clear what the reception was.

Kamwa opted not to celebrate with the home fans behind the goal, instead running the full length of the pitch, akin to Adebayor against Arsenal in 2009, to celebrate in front of the travelling supporters, who responded as expected, throwing bottles and other projectiles.

Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after Newport County celebration

Article image:Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport

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Kamwa took to Instagram to respond to the reaction following his celebration, writing the caption, "Short memory from a few. (Disappointing). Give it but also take it. You know I thrive for an occasion. EFL is back 💙 +3⛽️."

The slideshow of images on his Instagram included a few memes and a TikTok from a Newport fan, who called him a "snake" following his move to Bristol Rovers.

"Bobby’s is a fantastic goal, but some of the comments aimed at Bobby on my left-hand side today have got no place in football. That’s just the way it is," Rovers boss Steve Evans said after the game.

"I read his words in the media early this week when he said ‘if they give me some proper stick, I’ll celebrate. If they behave themselves, I wouldn’t’. If they’re not giving Bobby some outrageous chants, then I don’t think Bobby would have been running 100 yards.”

Evidently, the 26-year-old doesn't forget any disrespect he felt he was shown by the Exile fans either over the summer or in the game on Saturday, but it's helped him gain good favour amongst the fans of his new club.

Bristol Rovers lay down promotion marker after opening day defeat

Article image:Bobby Kamwa breaks silence after controversial Bristol Rovers moment v Newport

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That's now seven goals and six conceded in just two games for Bristol Rovers this season. The defence may need some shoring up, but there's no doubt that the attacking quality will be giving some of their fellow League Two promotion hopefuls some concerns.

The Gas ended last season brilliantly under Steve Evans. They won eight straight games leading up to the final day of the campaign, and the only sides they dropped points against in the final 12 games were promoted duo Bromley and Notts County.

A loss on the opening day against York City may have derrailed some pre-season momentum, but the Ministermen are also tipped to be right amongst it at the top of the table, so a 3-2 loss away from home isn't the worst result in that situation.

Putting five past a Newport side who won easily on opening day against Rochdale and who scored inside 15 seconds is impressive, and could be a sign of things to come from Steve Evans' side as the campaign goes on.

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