Lalitpur City FC climbed to the top of the Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025 table with a thrilling 2-1 win over FC Chitwan on Thursday at the Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar.
Mani Lama Steals the Show for Lalitpur City FC
Midfielder Mani Lama was the star of the match as he provided an assist and scored the winning goal from direct free kick from left edge of penalty box to secure Lalitpur’s second win of the season. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award along with a cash prize of NPR 30,000.
In just the third minute, Imoh Ezekiel gave Lalitpur the lead with a powerful header from Mani Lama’s free kick. Ezekiel’s high energy and presence on the pitch also won him the Energetic Player of the Match, with NPR 15,000 as a reward.
FC Chitwan’s Fightback Falls Short
FC Chitwan tried hard to bounce back after conceding early. Their efforts paid off in the 74th minute when Victor Mansaray scored the equalizer. However, their joy was short-lived.
Only six minutes later, in the 80th minute, Mani Lama found the back of the net from a direct free kick, restoring Lalitpur’s lead.
Key Players Miss Second Half
Both teams had to deal with key player setbacks. Chitwan’s influential midfielder Torric Jebrin and Lalitpur’s goalkeeper Jeffrey Baltus were replaced and couldn’t continue into the second half due to injuries.
Current Standings
With this win, Lalitpur remain unbeaten in their last four matches and now sit at the top of the table with 8 points from 4 games. FC Chitwan, who suffered their first defeat of the season, drop to second place with 7 points from 4 games.
This match further intensifies the NSL 2025 title race as both teams continue to show strong performances early in the season.
