Shrestha scored in the 25th minute of the game to give the third consecutive win for Manang at Anfa Complex in Satdobato on Thursday. Both teams wasted numerous goal-scoring opportunities in an evenly-contested match.

Brigade Boys' Anil Gurung, a former Manang player, missed a chance, firing wide of the upright in the third minute. Manang's Bimal Rana also missed a one-on-one opportunity in the 23rd minute and had another shot saved by BBC goalkeeper Deep Karki.

But minutes after Rana's second attempt was saved, Shrestha capitalised on a deflected pass to give Manang the lead. A shot by Manang's Mozambican midfielder Vidal Luis Chissano was deflected on to Shrestha's path who directed the ball into the net with a first touch in the 25th minute. Brigade Boys' skipper Gurung went close to levelling the score in the 33rd minute but spurned the chance.

Trailing by a goal in the first half, BBC showed urgency after the break. But they continued to struggle with their finishing. Jay Gurung's shot was saved by Manang's goalie Karki in the 52nd minute. Three minutes later, BBC's stopper Bishal Sunar saved a shot from Nigerian Femi Joshua Adewumi from going their side 2-0 down.

Manang's best chance to double the lead fell to forward Bimal Rana in the 66th minute, but his attempt to dink the ball past BBC's goalkeeper Sunar was brilliantly parried away by the stopper. Manang had to play the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Ekraj Budathoki was shown a red card for elbowing Brigade Boys' Bijay Gurung. Referee Kabin Byanjankar gave the Manang defender the marching orders for the offense. Following the injury, Gurung was unable to continue and was replaced by Anjal Maharjan. It was also the first straight red card in the ongoing league.

Manang's Nigerian coach Fuja Tope said the team was not up to their best but were able to win the three points. "For us, three points are important and we have achieved that. I hope our performance will improve as the league progresses," said Tope.

Brigade Boys' coach Khagendra Pun was not present throughout the match but team manager Arbin Gurung said the absence of the coach had not affected the team and their performance. "We don't have any problems with his absence," claimed manager Gurung.

Three victories from three matches means Manang are top of the standing with nine points. Brigade Boys are ninth with one win and two defeats.

In the day's other match, played at the Dasharath Stadium, Sankata Club and Jawalakhel Youth Club played an uneventful 1-1 draw.

Laxmal Ruchal put Sankata into the lead in the 36th minute when his freekick went into the net after taking a wicked deflection. But Jawalakhel leveled through Cameroonian Dady Junior Wamba in the 73rd minute.

Sankata are seventh in the standings with four points from their three matches, while Jawalakhel maintained their undefeated status to climb up to third spot with five points.

On Friday, Tribhuvan Army Club will play Himalayan Sherpa Club at Anfa Complex in the first game, followed by the Sarswati Youth Club-Nepal Police match at Dashrath Stadium.