Defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) edged 10-man Sankata Club 1-0 on Thursday to set the 15th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup title clash with hosts Sahara FC of Pokhara. 

African recruit Olawale Oladipo Afeez struck an 85th minute winner to put MMC into their second final in a month. MMC had also claimed the Khaptad Gold Cup title 

in Dhangadi last month and will meet winners of the 12th edition Sahara FC in the final on Saturday. 

On Wednesday, Sahara had stunned Tribhuvan Army Club 4-2 in tie breaker in the first semi-final match.

MMC had the first attack on goal when in the ninth minute skipper Anil Gurung received a pass from Saroj Dahal but the skipper’s shot was not powerful enough to beat Sankata custodian Binay Shrestha. A minute later, Bishwash Shrestha’s header in a corner from Sunil Bal went inches wide. Sankata’s African signing Lawal’s close-range header was denied by Sujal Shrestha after keeper Bishal Shrestha was beaten.

Gurung wasted another goal scoring opportunity in the 18th minute after he failed to score in an almost empty net after receiving the ball from Afeez. While the first half was full of action, the second half saw very less attack on frame. Sankata were left stunned after referee Bikash Mahat sent Sushil KC marching orders for his second bookable offence.

MMC finally struck through Afeez in the 85th minute with the African heading home a cross from Bimal Basnet after receiving the ball from a Bikram Limbu freekick. MMC’s Rohit Chand was adjudged the man-of-the-match.

Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi said a poor refereeing cost them the match. “The referee closed his eyes in multiple fouls committed by MMC. I don’t think we played a bad game. We ran out of luck as well,” said Khadgi. His MMC counterpart Chhiring Lhopsang Gurung said his side was tested. “Sankata were too strong in the game today. Not being able to score in the first half made it very difficult for us to set the game properly,” said Gurung.