Two goals scored in the opening 20 minutes of the second half were enough for Msida to beat Hamrun Spartans and gain a Championship Pool berth, with the Spartans now involved deeply in the relegation battle.

The match played in a packed Kordin ground brought back memories of the promotion decider between these two sides back in the seventies.

Msida were by far better on the day, thanks mainly to their three foreign imports who really made all the difference between the two sides.

Zongo and Babatunde were a span above the rest as they created panic in the Hamrun rearguard whenever they had possession of the ball. However Daniel Nwoke scored an incredible goal on 64 minutes, one of the best goals this season, a goal that dealt Hamrun the killer blow.

The Spartans faltered in their most important clash. They elected to control the game from the early stages, but had no alternatives the minute they went behind, and now they have to keep an eye on Floriana and Pieta in a rather balanced Relegation Pool.

The match although never reaching high standards, was electrifying especially in the second half, and it was a pity that Msida finished the match with nine men.

Msida based their chances on the speed of their three foreigners with Babatunde on the left, Zongo on the right and Daniel Nwoke in the centre. In midfield Msida had the edge as Charles Sciberras, Dino Cachia and Paul Fenech won many tackles and eventually the midfield battle.

At the back Daniel Theuma’s aerial battle with veteran Stefan Sultana was a delight to watch with Gaetan Spiteri many a times having the better of Stefano Grima.

On their part the Spartans seemed to lack punch up front, as they played a waiting game. Okoro was at sixes and sevens in midfield, as Kevin Borg had to sacrifice himself on the flank giving a helping hand to Steve Sadowski who was at times overpowered by Babatunde. Ndubisi Ndah shadowed Nwoke, but here again Nwoke was faster and better on the ball, creating tension in the Spartans’ rearguard.

Ivan Zammit stood out at the back where his experience proved to be an asset in such a high-tension match.

The first attempt at goal was made by Paul Fenech who shot wide following a Babatunde break. Minutes later Zongo blasted high when well placed. On 11 minutes Daniel Nwoke missed a sitter when he headed high a perfect Zongo cross from the right.

Msida needing the three points at stake from this match continued to dominate the early stages with the Spartans’ defence under constant pressure.

On 20 minutes Hamrun created their first danger with a Rupert Mangion shot deflected by a defender, and from the resultant break Msida went close when Cordina had to dive to save Nwoke’’s close range shot.

The same Nwoke hesitated in front of goal when Theuma chested well a Fenech cross. Ryan Fenech tested Omar Borg with a well taken free-kick on the half hour.

The second started with a bang as Msida forged ahead on 48 minutes. Babatunde beat the Spartans defence on a long ball from Sciberras, his first attempt was blocked by Cordina, but Babatunde headed in the rebound. The Spartans were now shocked and Msida found open spaces in their defence.

On 58 minutes Ryan Fenech cleared the danger following a melee in the Spartans’ area. Five minutes later Omar Borg saved his side when he brilliantly tipped into a corner a close range header from substitute Nwankwo. Sixty seconds later Daniel Nwoke scored a beauty when he beat the whole Spartans defence starting from his own half to chip the ball over Cordina and send his supporters in delirium.

On 67 minutes Omar Borg was brilliant again saving a good Spiteri free-kick. The last part of the match was a constant but confused Hamrun assault on the Msida rearguard, with Msida always dangerous with their fast foreigners having a field day over the Spartans open defence.

The match finished on a sad note as tempers flared with Msida finishing the match with nine players as Josef Mifsud was sent off for dissent and Paul Fenech received his second yellow card in injury time.

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, S. Sadowski (A. Attard), I. Zammit, J. Debattista, P. Ndubisi Ndah (D. Cucciardi), M. Okoro, R. Mangion, S. Sultana, G. Spiteri, R. Fenech (C. Nwankwo), K. Borg.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, J. Borg, S. Grima, C. Micallef, C. Sciberras, D. Cachia, P. Fenech, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke (M. Valencia), O. Zongo (M. Pullicino).

Referee: J. Attard asst. refs: P. Agius, C. Micallef 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke

Yellow cards: D. Cachia, O. Borg, P. Fenech, G. Spiteri, I. Zammit

Red cards: J. Mifsud, P. Fenech

Player of the match: Ibrahim Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. I. Babatunde 2. O. Zongo 3. D. Nwoke