How a Barcelona star influenced Newport's new hero

Barcelona star Raphinha, England midfielder Kalvin Phillips and former Newport County assistant Dino Maamria do not appear to have much in common.

But all can lay claim to having an influence on the career of Newport’s flying winger Bobby Kamwa.

Cameroon-born Kamwa made an immediate impact at Rodney Parade last Saturday, with his super strike putting Nelson Jardim’s side on their way to a stunning 3-1 League Two comeback victory over Doncaster Rovers.

The 24-year-old flyer was one of Newport’s 13 summer recruits, after being released by League One Burton Albion.

And he said: “I am on my journey to get back to where I think I should be.”

Kamwa began his football journey in the Leeds academy at the age of nine.

Further down the line, he would keep a close eye on Leeds winger Raphinha, one of a number of stars with whom Kamwa rubbed shoulders.

“I was in a group with Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt. It was a great academy and created a lot of great players," he said.

“When I was there I would look up to the likes of Raphinha. When I used to train with the first team he was the one I would look up to and he has gone on to great things.

“The likes of Kalvin Phillips as well who came through the academy - we had great role models.”

Newport fans will believe Kamwa learned good lessons from those contemporaries, especially Brazil's Raphinha, given their new winger's desire to run at defenders.

Kamwa caught the eye in the 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham Town on the opening day before capping an impressive performance with a goal on home debut.

So where does Maamria enter the Kamwa story?

The Tunisian-born coach was assistant to Graham Westley in his troubled spell at Newport, before their departure in 2017 heralded Mike Flynn’s return as boss and the so-called 'Great Escape' from relegation that season.

Maamria was in charge at Burton when Kamwa joined them in 2022.

Kamwa said: “When I signed it was Dino who gave me the opportunity to play at Burton.

“I was there for two years. We managed to stay up last season, it was an all right season. But people have to move on.

“That is what I am trying to do. I am on a path to strive for better.”

Newport host Accrington Stanley this Saturday, with Kamwa hoping for another chance to impress.

“The attraction [coming here] was the owners, the manager and the project they had and how they see the club going forward," he added.

"The project is really exciting. They are just trying to renew everything and I have a feeling there is something good going to happen at this place."