Lalitpur crowned NSL champions second time in a row

Kathmandu, April 26: Lalitpur City Football Club has defeated Pokhara Thunders 2-1 to become the Nepal Super League (NSL) football tournament champions for the second year in a row.

In the final match of the tournament held at local Dasarth Stadium in Tripureswar, Kathmandu, Lalitpur City FC defended the title it won last year, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.

The defending champions took the lead through Emoha Ejekele, who scored a header in a cross pass delivered by Manoj Rai in the 42nd minute of the first half. Sudil Rai of Pokhara Thunders made it 1-1 in the 64th minute of the match, pouncing on the failed save by Lalitpur goalkeeper Jeffrey Baltus, who could not clear a close strike from Stephen Samir Benong.

Meanwhile, in the 74th minute, Papa Eboyou of Lalitpur made it 2-1, utilising a beautiful cross from first goal scorer Emoha inside the d-box. The match ended 2-1 in favour of Lalitpur. With the win, Lalitpur City FC won a cash prize of Rs. 8 million along with the championship trophy and medals, while Pokhara had to contend with Rs. 3 million in prize money, along with the runners-up medal and trophy.

This is the third edition of the Nepal Super League, a franchise-based football tournament involving teams named after different cities. Kathmandu, Chitwan, Dangadi, Butwal and Jhapa are other city teams competing in the tournament.

The NSL is organized by Nepal Sports and Events Management (NSEM) in collaboration with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).