Dharan, March 24:

Skipper Surendra Tamang scored the solitary goal as Nabil Three Star Club defeated defending champions African United 1-0 in the final of the ninth Budha Subba Gold Cup football tournament here today.

Tamang headed home following Lok Bandhu Gurung’s free kick moments before the first half whistle. However, the win was overshadowed by the scuffle between the African United players and the spectators that left three African United players, seven spectators, two volunteers and a policeman injured.

The incident began after African United’s Sola Otegbola attacked referee Kiran Giri for cautioning him in the 75th minute. Giri then showed red card to Otegbola and the incident reached its peak when the spectators ran into the pitch. The African United players then started beating the spectators and the match was halted for 34 minutes. Upon resumption, referee Giri finished the match after five minutes on the African United players’ request.

Nabil Three Star Club, who finished third in the recently-concluded Martyrs Memorial National League and won the Aaha Gold Cup in Pokhara earlier this month, received the trophy and Rs 100,000, while the African United got Rs 50,000. Man of the match and the highest scorer of the tournament with seven goals to his credit, Surendra Tamang received Rs 17,000.

Swastik Jung Basistha of African United was declared the man of the series and he earned Rs 25,000.

Member secretary of National Sports Council Jeevan Ram Shrestha gave away prizes to the winners.