Ali Thameem
Maziya Sports and Recreation have qualified for the final of President’s Cup 2026, knocking out New Radiant Sports Club on a penalty shootout.
The semifinal game last night could not decide a winner after 90 minutes, as New Radiant made a second-half comeback to make it 2-2 at full time.
Youngster Ilan Imran, who replaced Hamza Mohamed in Maziya’s starting lineup, was involved in the opener, as he provided the assist for Ahmed Aiham to fire it in at the 28th minute.
Aiham scored a second goal five minutes before halftime, finishing off the assist by Hassan Nazeem.
As the second half kicked off, Suzain brought in Ali Fasir for Hassan Raaif. Just six minutes into the second half, New Radiant reduced the deficit as Al Haji Gero got on target.
Hopes of a comeback for New Radiant were renewed as Ali Ashfaq stepped up at the hour mark. It was Ashfaq who scored the equalizing goal just moments after coming on, firing into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box, after a cut-in from Sentey at the byline.
The next twenty five minutes could not separate the two sides, before the final whistle blew.
New Radiant’s Al Haji started off the penalty shootout, firing on target. Hamza Mohamed equalized for Maziya, before New Radiant’s Abdhulla Bility stepped up. Bility hit hard, but Hussain Shareef was able to get his gloves on the ball, and saved it. Maziya’s defender Nazim Mammadzada scored the next kick, as did Ali Fasir for New Radiant. New Radiant’s goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal saved the kick from Aisam Ibrahim.
New Radiant lost the renewed hoped after Hussain Shareef saved Ali Ashfaq’s penalty kick. Ahmed Aiham took the fourth penalty for Maziya, and found the net for the third time in the game. New Radiant’s final kick was taken and scored by substitute Ahmed Husaam, before Regan Obeng stepped up to fire in winning penalty for Maziya.
The Green Boys continue their unbeaten run into the final. Their opponent will be decided by tonight’s clash between Odi Sports Club and Buru Sports Club.
