Substitute Akeen Babatunde headed home the decider three minutes into the extra time. The match was extended to 15 minutes of extra time after the regulation time ended in a 1-1 deadlock. African United had taken the 19th minute lead when Segun Akinade scored capitalising on a pass from Victor. MMC had to wait until the 79th minute to level the scores as Yona Elias made full use of skipper Sagar Thapa’s pass.

MMC themselves had to blamed for the defeat as they squandered numerous easy scoring opportunities. Luck deserted MMC from the beginning as Aziz Shahi found the woodwork in the eight minute and Sujal Shrestha saw his freekick cleared from the goalline in the 38th minute. Deepak Rai was also wasteful moments later shooing wildly out. Sujal was unfortunate yet again when his attempt rebounded of the bar in the 53rd minute. MMC misery was summed up in the injury time when, with African goalie already beaten, Sequn cleared away an Anil Gurung header from the goalline.

African United coach Sujan Tandukar said his side were lucky to emerge as winners despite putting on an ordinary performance. “MMC played were a better side than us but luck was on our side,” Tandukar said. His MMC counterpart Hari Om Shrestha rued the missed opportunities.

African United will now fight for the title against the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Dharan FC and Sahara Club.