Manang Marshyangdi Club climbed to the top of the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League table with a 2-0 win over Friends Club after Jawalakhel were held to a 2-2 draw against Khumaltar Youth Club on Friday.

Koffi Timothee Koudo scored a double at the Chyasal Stadium as the former champions now look to winning the A-Division League title for a record ninth time.

Jawalakhel had their chance to maintain their lead at the top of the table with a win at the ANFA Complex. Instead, they had to fight back for a draw against the newcomers, thanks to a late equaliser from Fode Fofana.

The win gave Manang 14 points from six matches—level with Jawalakhel—but the record champions have played a game less.

Manang now have left behind early signs of struggles and have also kept their unbeaten streak in the league this season.

It was also their third straight victory.

Friends’ Akhrorbek Uktamov was mostly at fault for conceding the first goal in the 34th minute.

Manang’s Kamal Thapa dispossessed the Uzbeki defender and Koudo sent an electrifying shot from the edge of the area past Friends goalkeeper Bishal Sunar and into the bottom corner.

The Togo forward furthered the lead in the 52nd minute. Sumit Shrestha beautifully bludgeoned his way into the penalty area and set up Koudo, who tapped past Sunar for a simple finish.

At Chyasal, Jawalakhel took the lead through Nkoto Synous Masoabi in the 33rd minute when his low drive from the penalty area hit the woodwork before finding the net after he was set up by Hishub Thapaliya following a good run on the left.

But their lead could not last long.

Abhishek Limbu equalised three minutes later with a brilliant header, converting a corner from Cameroonian Messouke Oloumou.

Oloumou then put Khumaltar in the driving seat three minutes after the hour mark following a double effort after Jawalakhel defenders took too long to clear the ball away from danger.

Oloumou first took advantage of Fofana’s failed attempt to clear the ball to fire towards the goal post but Ghanaian Abdul Majid Shamatey blocked the effort.

The ball fell on the foot of Rahul who was too slow to clear the ball and Oloumou punished them, sending his right-footed shot into the far post.

But Fofana came to the rescue late in the second half when his header from a cross from Rahul found its way into the net from the top corner in the 85th minute.

Oloumou almost gave Khumaltar the winner two minutes later, but his volley went over the bar.

Satdobato are level on 12 points with league debutants Satdobato Youth Club. The latter can reach the top with a win over eighth-placed Tribhuvan Army Club on Sunday.

Khumaltar are in the ninth position with seven points from seven matches.