Chitwan finally registered their first ever victory in the Nepal Super League history after they downed Birgunj United 2-1 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Friday.

Bimal Gharti Magar and Torric Jebrin scored either side of Aikins Kyei Baffour’s equaliser as Mehrajuddin Waddo’s men at last snapped their winless run that extended back to the first edition of the franchise league in 2021.

Chitwan had wrapped up their previous campaign with four losses and two draws under Meghraj KC, who is now in charge of newcomers Sporting Ilam. It appeared Chitwan’s poor run would continue when they lost their opening match 1-0 to Pokhara Thunders and drew 1-1 with defending Champions Kathmandu Rayzrs.

But their new Indian coach Waddo had other plans.

Chitwan looked a better side on the pitch and took the lead in the 29th minute, thanks to a confident execution by Gharti Magar, who showed incredible pace meet a defence splitting pass from Roshan Rana Magar, dribbled past Birgunj’s advancing goalkeeper Deep Karki and rolled the ball into the net.

Chitwan increased the tempo and soon came close to scoring when Torric Jebrin played one-twos with Afriyie Ac Quah before setting up Rafiq Aminu into the opposition box but the Ghana forward could not capitalise on it.

Birgunj clouded Chitwan’s hopes to win the game with an equaliser ten minutes after the restart through a towering Baffaur, who busted the back of the net with a powerful header off a corner from William Opoku Asiedu.

But it didn’t dishearten Chitwan and soon launched the counterattack, with Quah forcing goalkeeper Karki into a save with a fierce long-ranger.

Three minutes later, Aminu and Jebrin combined to terrorise the Chitwan box but Aminu was ruled offside. Still, it was a warning that a dogged Waddo’s team could cause further damage and Jebrin proved it in the 68th minute curling a shot past Karki from outside the box.

The outcome moves Chitwan level on four points with Lalitpur City, holders Kathmandu and Pokhara—two adrift of leaders and last edition’s runners-up Dhangadhi. Chitwan have played a game more.

Birgunj are winless and sit second from bottom.

Perfect Dhangadhi will look to extend their lead at the top when they lock horns with Lalitpur in the top-of-the-table meeting on Saturday. Pokhara will also be eying a victory against Jhapa and a position at the summit.