Stripes succumb to African flair

Msida St Joseph 3
Birkirkara 1

Msida St Joseph added to Birkirkara's increasing woes yesterday. Coming back from a goal down, Msida struck three times to hand the reigning champions their fourth defeat of the season.

The omens looked encouraging for Birkirkara who had taken a third-minute lead thanks to a penalty by Etienne Barbara.

However, the Saints refused to panic, inspired by the powerful running of their African forwards, they managed to claw their way back into contention. Daniel Nwoke got them back on level terms after eight minutes and Ibrahim Babatunde put them ahead early in the second half.

The Stripes, who had gained only one point from their last two matches, tried hard to bridge the gap but for all their efforts, they simply could not breach the Saints defence.

Ousseni Zongo's third goal on the stroke of time ensured that Msida completed a double of wins over the Stripes and, more importantly, strengthened their second place in the table, one point behind leaders Marsaxlokk who have a game in hand.

Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi had more resources at his disposal with striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza earning a place in the starting formation after recovering from injury.

William Camenzuli and Angelo Paradiso were named among the substitutes together with Michael Galea, Birkirkara's saviour in the 2-2 draw with Marsaxlokk.

Msida St Joseph were almost at full strength with their only absentees being suspended defender Stacey Vella and midfielder Peter Pullicino who is injured.

The match had an explosive start with Birkirkara taking just three minutes to break the stalemate. Barbara raced down the left flank before powering his way into the area only to be sent tumbling to the ground by Msida defender Tyrone Farrugia.

A penalty was awarded and Barbara sent his shot past the diving Omar Borg.

Birkirkara's joy was shortlived as Msida took only five minutes to draw level. Their equaliser was the product of some delightful play from their African trio. Zongo, Msida's midfielder from Burkina Faso, served Babatunde on the right and the Nigerian quickly sent a dangerous low cross into the area where the alert Nwoke rammed the ball home.

After an action-filled opening, the rhythm of the game dropped with the next goalscoring opportunity falling Msida's way on 25 minutes.

Babatunde's surge on the left caused havoc in the Birkirkara backline. The low cross from the Nigerian just eluded the advancing Nwoke and Paul Fenech.

Seven minutes later, Msida goalkeeper Borg did well to tip over a dipping shot from Barbara.

Msida continued to look the likelier side to score through their African forwards but somehow Birkirkara held on until half-time.

After the interval, Msida soon punished Birkirkara for some poor positioning in defence. The clock showed 49 minutes of the game played when Fenech, played on side by Guido Gallovich, burst through before sending a low cross into the path of Babatunde who had little difficulty depositing the ball into an empty net.

The Stripes almost equalised six minutes later when Barbara's teasing cross was headed goalwards by Dario Larossa and Gallovich nipped in to flick the ball only for his tap-in to come off the upright.

At the other end, Fenech's long-range drive skimmed a post as Msida sought to put the match beyond Birkirkara's reach.

On 67 minutes, Azzopardi looked to strengthen Birkirkara's midfield when drafting in Camenzuli and Paradiso for Mifsud Triganza and Gallovich.

Borg came to Msida's rescue on 73 minutes when diving to his right to keep out Larossa's dipping header from a Lino Galea cross.

Six minutes from time, Nwoke served the surging Babatunde who, after dallying past his marker, unleashed a powerful drive that was blocked by Andrzej Bledzewski.

Birkirkara's hopes of a recovery suffered a blow five minutes from time when Mark Anthony Bonnici collected his second yellow card and was dismissed, leaving the Stripes to play the final minutes with a man less.

A minute later, Msida's Dino Cachia should have killed off the match. Having been sent clear by Babatunde, Cachia sped forward but his shot was blocked by the onrushing Bledzewski.

Birkirkara almost snatched a point at the death when Michael Galea was clean through but the Stripes substitute took too much time to conclude and was blocked by a providential tackle from Josef Mifsud.

The game was truly over as a contest in stoppage time when Babatunde delivered a long pass towards the steaming Zongo who swept past Kenneth Scicluna before sending an unstoppable drive past Bledzewski.

Thanks to this victory, Msida have virtually accomplished their mission of clinching a place in the Championship Pool.

Msida: O. Borg-7, P. Sciriha-6, S. Grima-6, T. Farrugia-6.5, J. Mifsud-7, P. Fenech-7, D. Cachia-6.5 ('87 C. Sciberras), A. Farrugia-6 ('73 C. Ebejer), I. Babatunde-7.5, D. Nwoke-7, O. Zongo-7.

Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski-5.5, M.A. Bonnici, A. Galea-6, R. Sammut-5.5, M. Calascione-5.5 ('57 M. Galea-5), E. Barbara-6.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5 ('67 W. Camenzuli-5), D. Larossa-5.5, K. Scicluna-6, G. Mallia-6, G. Gallovich-5.5 ('67 A. Paradiso-5).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Scorers: Barbara 3 pen.; Nwoke 8; Babatunde 49; Zongo 90.

Yellow Cards: Bonnici; Grima; Bledzewski.

Red card: Bonnici (B) 85.

BoV Player of the Match: Ibrahim Babatunde (Msida SJ).