Safa Send Pathetic Ansar Crashing Out of Cup Competition

Defending Cup holders Ansar spared their worst performance this season for the semi-finals stage of the competition before being inflicted a (3-1, first half 3-0) humiliating defeat at the hands of a classy Safa side, still in the hunt of their third cup trophy in their history.

Admittedly, twice former winners of the cup Safa are through to the final showdown of the competition, where they are due to face surprising outfits Shabab Sahel, worthy (4-3) winners over Akha-Ahly in the other semi-finals tie.

In fact, Ansar lost the game in the first period, when spirited Safa outclassed them in just every department of the game, before sending them at the interval trailing by three clear goals.

Safa, who spared for their opponents their most sizzling performance this season, had a dream start when they edged them by two clear goals in 12 minutes, before adding the third at stroke of half-time. 

Cameroon striker Marius Pietnick opened the scoring in the 7th minute for Safa, courtesy of a glancing header in the top left corner of the stranded keeper Ziad Al-Samad, following a pin-pointed cross down the left flank by versatile full-back Chadi Al-Chami. International defender Ahmed Naamani consolidated Safa's lead, five minutes later, powering in a brilliant header from a corner kick, before Sierra Leone sweeper Kamokai Kallon claimed the third strike in the 45th minute from the spot, as forward Chadi Al-Chami was floored in the 18-yard box by keeper Al-Samad.

Fresh substitute Mohamed Jawad pulled a goal back in the 55th minute from a scrambled goalmouth after a free-kick from outside the penalty box.

First Half: 3-0

Starting Lineup: Bilal Hachem- Kamokai Kallon, Daniel Al-Aawar, Walid Al-Miri- Nabih Al-Jerdi, Chadi Al-Chami, Ali Mohamed, Ahmad Al-Naamani, Lawrence Uzuma- Marius Pietnick, Abdallah Al-Homsi.

Substitutions: Youssef Mohamed for Chadi Al-Chami, Khodor Salameh for Ali Mohamed and Walid Dahrouj for Abdallah Al-Homsi.