AEL Limassol defeats Anorthosis 2-0 in Cyprus League opener amid injury crisis

AEL Limassol secured a 2-0 victory against Anorthosis on August 30, 2026, during the opening round of the Cyprus League by Stoiximan at the Alphamega Stadium. Hamza Catakovic opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with a header, followed by a second goal from Yanick Gomis in the 50th minute. Anorthosis finished the match with ten men after Van der Heyden was sent off following a tackle on Gomis.

The triumph was marred by serious injuries to both goalscorers, overshadowing the team's performance. Catakovic, who initially returned to the pitch after an early injury scare, was substituted at halftime, while Gomis suffered a severe, long-term leg injury during the second half. AEL manager Hugo Martins expressed deep disappointment, noting that the victory felt bittersweet due to the health of his players. The club is currently awaiting further medical evaluations to determine the exact recovery timelines for both athletes, which may influence future team transfer decisions.