Apollon Limassol defeats APOEL 4-2 in cup semi-final first leg
On April 22, 2026, Apollon Limassol secured a 4-2 victory over APOEL in the first leg of the Cypriot Cup semi-final at the Alphamega Stadium. Brandon Thomas played a critical role for Apollon, contributing to three of his team's goals, including a score, an assist, and a cross leading to an own goal by Stafylidis. Gustavo Asuncao also scored a decisive long-range goal for Apollon. APOEL's lone highlight was a notable goal by Daniel Mancini. Following the match, the future of APOEL manager Pablo Garcia became uncertain, with internal debates within the board regarding his potential dismissal. While initial reports suggested his departure, recent updates indicate that president Charis Photiou may lean towards retaining him at least until the upcoming Sunday match. APOEL is currently dealing with significant defensive issues, having conceded goals frequently in recent high-stakes matches.