Nepal blew away a two-goal lead before making a superb comeback to beat Maldives 4-3 in extra time making it to the men’s football final of the 12th SA Games on Saturday.

Nawayug Shrestha struck a hat-trick in Nepal’s comeback victory after Anjan Bista put Nepal ahead early in the game. Md Hamza, Ahmed Nashid and Hasan Naiz struck for Maldives. The victory put Nepal in the SA Games football final after 17 years. 

Rejina Karki missed a gold for Nepal in taekwondo which also brought one bronze. Roza KC won country’s first bronze medal in triathlon events.  The women’s football team wrapped up their league with a 4-0 defeat of Sri Lanka. They will play India for a gold in the final. Nepal so far have one gold, 13 silver and 22 bronze medals. 

At the Nehru Stadium, Nepal had a dream start when Bista received a long ball from Bimal Gharti Magar inside the post and tapped  in home in the 15th minute. 

Shrestha, who had also struck a hat-trick against Bhutan, made it 2-0 in the 36th minute scoring from the goal mouth as Nepal headed into the second half with a convincing 2-0 lead.  

Maldives, however, hit back in the 52nd minute through Hamza who was left unmarked and the forward cashed in on the opportunity with a powerful shot leaving Bikesh Kuthu with hardly any time to react.

The momentum shifted towards Maldives after Kamal Shrestha was red carded for his second bookable offence. Nashid struck in the 86th minute from the area after Nepal were dispossessed from their own half.

Nepali camp was left stunned when Hasan Naiz scored in the 115th minute. As Maldives were sniffing a place in the final, Shrestha levelled tin the 118th. 

The striker then brought his second hat-trick of the SA Games and a gold medal clash with India on February 15, nudging the ball into the nets from close range in the 120th following a blunder from Maldives goalie.

Karki restricted to silver

Rejina Karki who had entered the final of the women’s 46kg missed out on a gold after losing her final bout against Yasmeen M Khan 1-0 in sudden death after an 8-8 draw in the first three rounds.