Lalitpur defeats Dhangadhi 3-2 to lift NSL title

KATHMANDU: Lalitpur City FC clinched the Nepal Super League 2023 title with a 3-2 victory over Dhangadhi FC in front of a capacity crowd at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Emoh Ezikiel netted a brace, and Dinesh Henjan added one for Lalitpur, while Olawale Afeez and Ahmed Hijaji found the net for Dhangadhi.

The first half was evenly balanced, with both teams having opportunities to take the lead but failing to capitalize on them. Dhangadhi opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Hijaji controlled Ashish Chaudhary’s long pass on the left flank and delivered a beautiful cross into the six-yard box. The ball deflected off Lalitpur keeper Jeffrey Baltus and fell to Olawale Afeez who scored from a simple tap-in.

Lalitpur equalized in first-half injury time. A free kick was awarded just outside the box to Lalitpur after Osei Agyemang brought down Papa Ibou Kebe. Imoh Ezekiel lofted the free-kick above the wall into the bottom right corner with Dhangadhi keeper Mohamad Taha rooted to his position.

Lalitpur scored twice in eight minutes of the second half to take a 3-1 lead. In the 50th minute, Aditya Shakya controlled Sheshhang Angdembe’s cross and provided a beautiful pass for Dinesh Henjan, who made no mistake, in giving his side a 2-1 lead.

Eight minutes later, Ezekiel made the scoreline 3-1 on a counterattack. Captain Ananta Tamang seized the ball from a Dhangadhi player in his half and passed it to Dinesh, who made a beautiful run and unleashed a cross toward the six-yard box. The ball hit a Dhangadhi defender and fell to Papa. Papa headed the ball onto Ezekiel who scored from a beautiful bicycle kick.

Just as Dhangadhi was mounting pressure to get back into the game, it was reduced to 10 men as Agyemang received the marching orders after getting his second yellow card.

Ahmed Hijaji scored in injury time of the second half, but it came too late for Dhangadhi.

Champions Lalitpur received a cash prize of Rs 7 million, while Dhangadhi received Rs 2 million.

Lalitpur captain Ananta Tamang was declared the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and received a cash prize of Rs 200,000. Lalitpur forward Ezekiel and stopper Baltus received the Top Scorer and Best Keeper awards, respectively, each carrying a purse of Rs 100,000. Dhangadhi’s Rohan Karki was declared the Emerging Player of the tournament. He also received a cash prize of Rs 100,000.

Bigunj United FC received the Fair Play Award.