APF FC lifted the Aaha Rara Gold Cup trophy for the first time in their history after defeating Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 5-4 in the penalty shootout on Saturday.

The final went into the tiebreaker after a 2-2 draw following extra time at the Pokhara Stadium.

APF goalkeeper Yuya Kuriyama denied MMC’s fourth penalty taker Olawale Afeez in the shootout after skipper Nabin Lama, Sanish Shrestha, Rabi Thing, Mani Lama all converted for the winning side. Cameroonian Armand Beadoum then scored the decisive penalty delivering APF their historic title.

Franklin Kuette, Dayananda Singh, Shiva Gurung and Rupesh KC scored for MMC.

It was the first time APF had reached the final of the country’s longest-running football tournament in 14 years. They were defeated by their departmental rivals Nepal Police Club 2-0 in the final in 2008.

It was the sixth meeting between APF and MMC in the Aaha Rara, with APF’s only previous victory coming in the 2019 quarter-final which they won 1-0.

In an entertaining final, Yubaraj Khadka, who was starting for the departmental team for the first time, put APF in front in the 20th minute when his low strike from the right flank went past MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral into the far post after he was set up by Beadoum.

MMC, who were making a record 12th final appearance, levelled the score in the 67th minute after Singh, who was left unmarked in the area, headed into the post converting a cross from captain Bimal Rana.

Cameroonian defender Kuette furthered the advantage for MMC late in the second half heading in a free kick from Bishow Adhikari sending the home crowd into frenzy.

And just as it seemed MMC were about to celebrate a record-extending Aaha Rara title, the final took a dramatic turn when Thing stunned the six-time winners with an equaliser, sending a long header over the MMC goalie in the dying seconds, pushing the match into extra time.

APF defender Rajan Gurung was declared the best player and best defender of the tournament. He was awarded a scooter. Top scorer of the tournament Thing, who has three goals to his name, was adjudged the best midfielder. APF’s Kuriyama was named the best goalkeeper and Kumar Thapa the best coach. MMC’s Afeez bagged the best striker award. They received Rs25,000 each.

Tribhuvan Army Club, who lost to MMC in the semi-finals, won the fair play team award.

The champions walked away with a purse of Rs1 million whereas the runners-up got Rs500,000.