# Anorthosis Famagusta season premiere and management review

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/anorthosis-famagusta-football-season-preparations
> Updated: 2026-09-05T18:20:54.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 4.

Anorthosis Famagusta concluded its pre-season preparations with a 2-2 friendly draw against Karmiotissa. Following these preparations, the club shifted focus to its league premiere against AEL Limassol. Under coach Nestor El Maestro, the team has been navigating a transfer embargo that requires reliance on its current roster, supported by new leadership including Football Director Nektarios Alexandrou and Football Planning Consultant Nikos Nikolaou.

Following the season premiere against AEL Limassol, club management expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. Although the squad showed potential during the first half, the match was impacted by defensive lapses resulting in two goals and difficulties in the attacking third. Coach El Maestro has held discussions with the administration to address these shortcomings, emphasizing an “urgent need for improvement.”

On the second matchday, Anorthosis suffered a 3-1 defeat against Apollon Limassol. While the team showed early energy and secured an equalizer through a Kiko penalty, the match was heavily influenced by VAR interventions. A header by Da Cruz that appeared to equalize the score at 2-2 was disallowed following a VAR review that identified a prior foul by Bergström on Escritche.

Following the loss, El Maestro expressed disappointment, noting that while the team played with intensity and controlled the ball at times, “small details and cheap goals worked against them.” The club has expressed intense frustration regarding the officiating of referee Mario Christoforou and the VAR official, citing a missed foul during Apollon’s second goal and a penalty awarded to Apollon that the club believes was called too easily. Anorthosis intends to file a formal complaint with the Cypriot Football Association (CFA) regarding these decisions.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Apollon Limassol defeats Anorthosis amid VAR controversy

Apollon Limassol defeated Anorthosis Famagusta 3-1, sparking formal complaints from Anorthosis over VAR decisions and officiating accuracy during the match.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anorthosis-famagusta-falls-3-1-to-apollon-limassol

### 2026-08-31: Anorthosis Famagusta management reviews performance after season premiere

Anorthosis Famagusta management and coach Nestor El Maestro are addressing performance issues following a disappointing season premiere against AEL Limassol.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anorthosis-famagusta-management-reviews-performance-after-season-premiere

### 2026-08-25: Anorthosis Famagusta prepares for derby against AEL Limassol

Anorthosis Famagusta faces AEL Limassol in their league premiere at Alpha Mega Stadium. Restricted by a transfer embargo, the team must rely on its current roster under coach Nestor El Maestro.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anorthosis-famagusta-prepares-for-derby-against-ael-limassol

### 2026-08-22: Anorthosis and Karmiotissa draw 2-2 in final friendly

Anorthosis Famagusta and Karmiotissa ended their final pre-season friendly match in a 2-2 draw, featuring an own goal and a late penalty by Ilias.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anorthosis-and-karmiotissa-draw-2-2-in-final-friendly

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Cite as: Anorthosis Famagusta season premiere and management review. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/anorthosis-famagusta-football-season-preparations