Record six-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) scored two goals in the second half as they edged Nepal Police Club 2-0 to enter the semi-final of the 20th Aaha Rara Gold Cup football tournament at the Pokhara Stadium on Sunday.

Nigerian forward Olawale Afeez played key roles in both the goals setting up for Rupesh KC to score the first before he netted second with display of individual brilliance against the six-time champions including Caravan Gold Cup, the first edition of game, which was later renamed.

MMC, who were drawn directly to play the quarter-final, will now take on the winners between Three Star Club and Tribhuvan Army Club in the semi-final scheduled for Thursday.

Both the sides came into the match in the absence of some of their vital players due to the national team camp for Mauritius friendlies, which are scheduled for January 29 and February 1. MMC played without their regular captain Anjan Bista, defenders Pujan Uperkoti and Dinesh Rajbanshi, and a midfielder. Police were without their goalie Satrughan Chaudhary, forward Suman Lama and midfielder Tej Tamang.

Both sides struggled to create threatening opportunities in the first half though Afeez's strike a few minutes before the interval landed straight into Police goalie Sanjeet Shrestha's hands.

MMC broke the deadlock in the 64th capitalising on a defensive error by Ajit Bhandari who failed to clear Hemanta Shrestha's backpass after they were pressed by Afeez and KC. The Nigerian forward found Bhandari's poor clearance inside the area and laid for KC who coolly controlled the ball and back-volleyed to open the scoring.

Veteran forward Jumanu Rai could have levelled scores six minute from time but he delayed in applying finishing touch inside the area providing an opportunity for MMC defenders to clear it. Moments later Ashok Thapa Magar's scorcher in Afeez's pass was parried by Police goalie Sanjeet Shrestha. The ball again rebounded toward Thapa Magar and he headed to set it for Rajesh Pariyar but he ended up shooting high above the bar.

Afeez, the highest scorer of the ongoing Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League with six goals under his belt, ensured the victory for MMC with the second goal three minutes from time. The Nigerian forward robbed the ball from midfielder Bhola Silwal exactly at the centre line and again dribbled past Silwal and defender Ajeet Bhandari before firing a low ball past advancing goalie Shrestha. Afeez was declared the player-of-the-match.

Police coach Ananta Raj Thapa admitted that his side was punished for sloppy defending. "We conceded due to defensive errors on both occasions," said Thapa. "The defender made a silly mistake while conceding the first goal. Any team would lose if they make such mistakes. The two errors cost us dearly," he said, adding that MMC were a better side with quality foreign recruits.

MMC's Nigerian coach Fuja Tope said that his side spent the first half in understanding the opponent's strategy. "This is not League and we need to make plans for victory. The players perfectly executed the game plan," he said.

Defending champions Sankata Club will take on 'A' Division League leaders Machhindra Club in the third quarter-final on Monday.