Unfancied ‘A’ Division outfits Brigade Boys Club (BBC) made a winning start to the Pokhara Cup football tournament knocking out hosts Pokhara XI 1-0 for a place in the quarter-finals on Friday.  

Nigerian forward Kazeem Adegoke Busari netted the all-important goal for BBC in the mid-second half to stun the hosts, who had bolstered their squad by including three foreign recruits. Pokhara put the visitors under pressure in the first half and created some brilliant chances but all went in vain. While defender Saheed Anifowose impressed the local supporters with his performance, other two foreign recruit failed to live up to their expectations. In the 30th minute Binod Gurung wasted a chance shooting off target from the area zone. Goalie Ajit Parajuli then denied Jay Gurung of BBC in the 62nd minute.  

BBC, who finished 12th in the 14-team Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League, made the breakthrough in the 72nd minute through Busari, who capitalised on a mistake from goalkeeper Parajuli to score the goal. The forward collected a ball fumbled by custodian Parajuli, who had parried a 30-yard Manoj Rai’s freekick, to score the winner. Nigerian forward Busari was declared man-of-the-match.   

“It was an evenly contested affair. But the blunder from goalkeeper let us down,” said Pokhara coach Praladh Hirachan. BBC coach Subit Karki said they had assembled the squad who were playing for different clubs after the completion of League tournament. BBC were playing their first knockout tournament since the end of the ‘A’ Division League. “We were able to put such a show due to the exposure in the league. We managed to win due to teamwork. We will add two new strikers and hope to improve our forward line for the next match,” Karki added.   

Nepal Police Club will take on Sankata Club on Saturday.