Sport

Bristol Rovers’ boss Steve Evans defends ex-Newport striker Bobby Kamwa’s goal celebration

22 Aug 2026 3 minute read

Bristol Rovers v Newport County. Sky Bet League 2. Things heat up after Bobby Kamwa of Bristol Rovers scores a goal and runs towards the Newport supporters. Kian Abdullah, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans defended ex-Newport forward Bobby Kamwa after his controversial role in his side’s 5-3 victory in the Severnside derby at the Memorial Stadium.

Kamwa, who swapped Newport for Rovers over the summer, was pelted with plastic bottles after taunting visiting fans following the goal that put Rovers on their way to victory.

The Cameroon forward curled in a delightful goal to settle a topsy-turvy contest before running the length of the field to celebrate in front of travelling fans who booed him throughout.

Kamwa was booked for his actions that saw tempers boil over, with his ex-team-mate Ciaran Brennan also earning a yellow card in a minor melee.

Evans said: “Obviously the celebration caused a few issues.

“I can’t pronounce his name, but I can remember a very famous footballer who ran 90 yards to celebrate when he scored a fantastic goal.

“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.

“Bobby’s a Yorkshire boy who’s got character and a bit of fight, a bit of spirit. 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.”

Harrison Biggins, Shaquille Gwengwe and Cole Jarvis all scored for Newport, but goals for Ben Purrington, Kamwa, a hat-trick for Fabrizio Cavegn and an own goal from Lee Jenkins saw Rovers take the points.

Bristol Rovers v Newport County. Sky Bet League 2. Newport County Head Coach, Hayden Mullins. Credit: Kian Abdullah, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport boss Hayden Mullins said: “It was a game that seemed to have everything.

“All the ingredients you’d want for a local derby. I think both teams went for it. I don’t think we’re the type of team to sit off and try to protect.

“When I saw my team two goals down and still going for the game, I thought, ‘I know we’re in a good place’. Even our first-half performance was excellent. We were unlucky not to be a couple of goals up.

“We wanted to be front-footed, we wanted to be positive. We wanted to take the game to Bristol and we did.”

Of Kamwa, he added: “I’m not too sure what happened there. I was organising something on the bench, so I didn’t really see it.

“I’ve been told that he celebrated in front of the fans. I’m not too sure what the players think about it. I haven’t spoken to them yet, but that’s Bobby’s decision.

“He celebrated that way. I’m sure the fans let him know what they thought.”

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