Banaadir SC humbles Heegan to book a derby date with Jeenyo in Gen Daa’uud Cup finals
By Hussein Qalinle
Banaadir SC yesterday booked its place in the finals of General Daa’uud cup after locking out its worthy opponent Heegan FC in a riveting match at Banaadir stadium which ended in a 4-3 win for Banaadir in penalty kick-out.
After a 90 minute clash which closed in a barren draw, referees opted for penalty kick out to evade an extra time in darkness as Mogadishu sun gave way to dawn and with a poorly lit stadium, victory had to be decided through penalty kick-out
The first half of the match bore no fruit for both teams but Heegan’s goalkeeper from Nigeria saved the day for the police team with several saves.
In the 49th minute, Abdirizak Abuukar Roble delivered the first goal for Heegan in the D shortly before Banaadir’s captain Daadir Amiin Ali equalized by converting a corner throw in the 56th minute.
The two teams created odd chances for any score in the remaining time sending them to penalty kicks as fans crossed their fingers each hoping for a win.
Okoro Dinho dipped Heegan’s first chances by missing the first spot kick and so did Abdullahi Nur’s miss in the last spot to concede to Banaadir. Marcelo Samson of Kenya hit a miss for Banaadir in a kick that gave the net a wide berth.
Banaadir FC left the pitch with three yellow cards handed to Kafanayo Imam (14) in the 37th minute, Abdullahi Mohamed Abukar (20) in the 65th minute while Marcelo Odhiambo closed the day with a yellow card in the 62 minute.
Heegan’s Mahad Mohamed Haji was the only player from the Somali police team to be slapped with a yellow car in the 25th minute of match.
Heegan tactician Felix Nwosu apologized to his fans in a Facebook post but promised better things ahead.
“Sorry to our fans that we let you down..Game ended 1-1, we lost out in post-match penalties 3-4. There is always next time. I appreciate my players and thank them for their hard work. God bless Heegan FC..” said Nwosu.
Nwosu however spoke positive of his competitor, Hussein Mblangu from Uganda. “I have respect for him (Banaadir coach). He also respects me. We also talked about how to improve the standards of the league,” Nwosu told Goobjoog Sports.
Mbalangu also thanked Nwosu for the worthy challenge noting ‘I appreciate his work because I saw Heegan can play as a great team.”
The finals will now be a derby affair as Banaadir and Jeenyo FC both from Warda Nabada in Mogadishu will face off at the Banaadir stadium Sunday.
International referee Hagi Yabarow Wish officiated the match and was assisted by Salah Omar Abuukar and Aweys Abdullahi Sheikh.