Match report

Waldhof Mannheim Defeats FC Saarbrücken 2–1 in 3. Liga Thriller

Waldhof Mannheim
Waldhof Mannheim
2–1
FT
FC Saarbrücken
FC Saarbrücken
Dec 7, 2025

Waldhof Mannheim secured a hard-fought victory over FC Saarbrücken with a 2–1 win, thanks to goals from K. Okpala and T. Boyd. Despite an early setback, the hosts maintained their composure to hold off a spirited Saarbrücken comeback attempt.

Key Facts

  • • K. Okpala opened the scoring for Waldhof Mannheim with a penalty kick in the 12th minute.
  • • Abdoulaye Kamara equalized for FC Saarbrücken from an assist by T. Civeja at 22 minutes.
  • • T. Boyd restored Waldhof's lead with a goal in the 34th minute.
  • • Waldhof Mannheim held on to their lead and secured three points in the 3. Liga.

Lineups

Waldhof Mannheim

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Nijhuis (G)
  • 24 L. Klunter (D)
  • 6 N. Hoffmann (D)
  • 4 T. Sechelmann (D)
  • 17 S. Abifade (D)
  • 14 E. Iwe (M)
  • 27 A. Diakhaby (M)
  • 21 J. Rieckmann (M)
  • 32 K. Okpala
  • 28 D. Michel (F)
  • 13 T. Boyd (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 J. Niemann
  • 2 S. Voelcke
  • 7 N. Shipnoski
  • 9 F. Lohkemper
  • 15 M. Karbstein
  • 18 S. Yigit
  • 20 K. Asallari
  • 22 J. Sietan
  • 38 Masca

FC Saarbrücken

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 13 P. Menzel (G)
  • 7 C. Rizzuto (D)
  • 32 R. Bormuth (D)
  • 18 L. Wilhelm (D)
  • 28 N. Bretschneider (D)
  • 15 A. Kamara (M)
  • 8 M. Zeitz (M)
  • 23 T. Civeja (M)
  • 20 F. Pick (F)
  • 39 P. Schmidt (F)
  • 10 K. Rabihic (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Paterok
  • 27 J. Bichsel
  • 2 P. Fahrner
  • 5 E. Krahn
  • 31 R. Neudecker
  • 30 D. Baumann
  • 9 K. Brunker
  • 17 R. Elongo-Yombo
  • 26 A. Groune

Timeline

  1. Waldhof Mannheim
    12' Waldhof Mannheim Goal · Penalty
    K. Okpala
  2. FC Saarbrücken
    22' FC Saarbrücken Goal · Normal Goal
    Abdoulaye Kamara · Assist: T. Civeja
  3. Waldhof Mannheim
    34' Waldhof Mannheim Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Boyd
  4. Waldhof Mannheim
    46' Waldhof Mannheim subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Rieckmann · On: J. Sietan
  5. Waldhof Mannheim
    57' Waldhof Mannheim Card · Yellow Card
    T. Boyd

    Foul

  6. FC Saarbrücken
    62' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    Abdoulaye Kamara

    Foul

  7. FC Saarbrücken
    62' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Schmidt · On: K. Brunker
  8. FC Saarbrücken
    62' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Rabihic · On: R. Elongo-Yombo
  9. FC Saarbrücken
    68' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    M. Zeitz

    Foul

  10. Waldhof Mannheim
    72' Waldhof Mannheim subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Michel · On: F. Lohkemper
  11. FC Saarbrücken
    74' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Abdoulaye Kamara · On: D. Baumann
  12. Waldhof Mannheim
    76' Waldhof Mannheim subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Boyd · On: N. Shipnoski
  13. Waldhof Mannheim
    76' Waldhof Mannheim subst · Substitution 4
    Off: E. Iwe · On: Masca
  14. FC Saarbrücken
    83' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Zeitz · On: E. Krahn
  15. FC Saarbrücken
    83' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Civeja · On: A. Groune
  16. Waldhof Mannheim
    85' Waldhof Mannheim subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Diakhaby · On: M. Karbstein
  17. FC Saarbrücken
    87' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    L. Wilhelm

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Waldhof Mannheim FC Saarbrücken
Fouls 18 14
Pass Accuracy 76% 78%
Offsides 2 7
Red Cards 0 0
Total Shots 13 8
Corners 2 5
Total Passes 320 445
Yellow Cards 1 3
Blocked Shots 0 1
Shots on Target 9 2
xG 2.48 0.60
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 38% 62%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 244 348
Shots Inside Box 10 7
Saves 1 8
Shots Outside Box 3 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early penalty scored by K. Okpala set a strong foundation for Waldhof Mannheim's victory.
  • ▸ T. Boyd's second goal was crucial as it provided some breathing space, despite the brief equalizer from FC Saarbrücken.