THAT WAS THE MATCH
Hammarby fell earlier on Thursday against the Seattle Sounders (1-3) and faced the Ukrainian league team Metalist in the evening, where Bajen started with a significantly younger and more inexperienced starting eleven.
Hammarby started promisingly with most of the ball and created scoring chances. Montader Madjed challenged on the right wing and played Wilson Lindberg for a shot on the post and later the winger was close on his own with a finish close to the goal. In the end, Bajen got to celebrate.
Suwaibo Kebbeh made it in the middle of the first half around the left wing, towards the goal and made it 1-0. A delicious solo action from the new acquisition. With ten minutes left until the break, Bajen made it 2-0. Oscar Steinke met a cross in the penalty area and played Kebbeh, who shot at goal. On the return, Elohim Kaboré put the ball in the net. Just before half-time, Metalist in turn reduced. 13 minutes into the second half, Bajen made it 3-1. Essaya’s Lwampindy was responsible for a fine preparatory work, before Wilson Lindberg got revenge for his post shot by rolling the ball into the goal. Shortly thereafter, Metalist reduced and brought the match back to life.
Hammarby later expanded through Kaboré, who scored two goals, and in the end it was a 4-3 victory – after a late reduction goal. Thus, new boss Kalle Karlsson saved his first Hammarby victory after a loss and two crosses during the training camp.
Worth noting is that team captain Nahir Besara missed both matches due to illness, while Paulos Abraham was out with an injury.
Hammarby’s starting eleven: Elton Fischerström – Essayas Lwampindy, Ibrahima Fofana, Björn Hedlöf, Oscar Steinke – Frank Junior Adjei, Sourou Koné, Wilson Lindberg – Montader Madjed, Elohim Kaboré, Suwaibo Kebbeh.
IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES FOR CABORÉ
Elohim Kaboré was responsible for double goals this evening. The forward, who a year ago was injured at this time and to some extent had a tough first Bajen year, thus finally got to celebrate properly. It was evident on the forward how much the goals meant to him, as he celebrated by sliding to his knees and firing an invisible arrow. Kaboré has a tough competitive situation with mainly Paulos Abraham and Nikola Vasic for playing time, and will have to take advantage of their chances going forward to get plenty of minutes on the field in the Allsvenskan. Kaboré needed tonight’s goal to show that he is here to challenge and is in no way eligible for a loan for more playing time elsewhere.
THE EVENT OF THE MATCH
Suwaibo Kebbeh’s goal was delicious. The new acquisition was responsible for a solo action along the left flank and made his way towards the goal, where he was then the cold himself. Kebbeh had a good autumn with HTFF last year with several goals and has now had to show himself during the training camp in Marbella. It now remains to be seen how many minutes he will get when it comes to competitive matches going forward.
THE QUESTION MARK
Hammarby’s training camp is now over, and several talents with little or no all-Swedish experience have had to show themselves. Some examples are Björn Hedlöf, Oscar Steinke, Essayas Lwampindy, Sourou Koné, Wilson Lindberg and Suwaibo Kebbeh. Young players usually have a tendency to stand out early in the year, but then many fall away once the Allsvenskan starts. It’s often easy to get carried away with performance in practice matches, but then sometimes it stops there, as it simply takes a little longer to really establish itself.
Björn Hedlöf, Oscar Steinke and Sourou Koné are three players who have received praise during the camp and it now remains to be seen if it is “camp praise” or if they actually take real places in this year’s Allsvenskan squad in 2026. Regardless, Kalle Karlsson has now seen several great talents show off.
BEST PLAYER OF THE MATCH (3 is best)
3. Elohim Kaboré. Not brilliant in the game, but scored two out of four goals.
2. Oscar Steinke. Often involved in the offensive and was behind the second goal.
1. Suwaibo Kebbeh. Nice solo action at the first goal. Was dangerous on offense.
