Former Shooting Stars SC player Ayodeji Malomo experienced a night of contrasting emotions as Dinamo Tirana defeated KF Egnatia Rrogozhinë 3-2 in a thrilling Kupa e Shqipërisë final.
The Nigerian defender made an immediate impact in the high-stakes encounter, opening the scoring in the 34th minute with a composed finish that handed Dinamo Tirana an early advantage.
Read Also: EAGLE EYE: NNL’s Visual Deception With ‘Portable’ On Last Day Of Super-4 | Sports247 Nigeria
His goal sparked celebrations among the club’s supporters and gave “Nëndetësja Blu” (“The Blue Submarine”) momentum in what quickly developed into an entertaining and fiercely contested final.
However, Malomo’s evening later took an unfortunate turn. In the 56th minute, the Nigerian received his second yellow card of the match and was subsequently sent off, forcing Dinamo Tirana to continue the remainder of the final with ten men.
Despite the setback, the Albanian side showed resilience and determination to maintain their push for silverware. Another Nigerian talent, Mustapha Isah, emerged as the hero late in the contest after scoring the decisive winning goal in the 84th minute to secure a dramatic cup victory for Dinamo Tirana.
The triumph further highlighted the growing influence of Nigerian players within the club setup. Fellow Nigerian prospect James Aniekan was also included in the squad for the final, although he remained an unused substitute during the encounter.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the celebrations after the match reflected strong camaraderie among the Nigerian contingent associated with the club. Following the final whistle, Malomo shared a positive moment by gifting his match jersey to Emmanuel Longe, another Nigerian player currently featuring in Albania’s Kategoria e Parë, who attended the final as a spectator.
Longe later joined Dinamo Tirana’s Nigerian players in celebrating the club’s memorable cup success, rounding off a significant evening for Nigerian football representation in Albanian football.
Although the final brought mixed emotions personally for Malomo due to his sending-off, the victory ultimately ensured it remained a memorable occasion for both Dinamo Tirana and its growing Nigerian community.
