Botev (Plovdiv) won 1:0 in their fifth-round match against Hebar (Pazardzhik), with the only goal scored by Christian Nwachukwu early in the second half. The “yellow-black” team now has three wins and one draw, remaining unbeaten in their four matches in the championship.
As early as the 18′, the “Canaries” had a chance to take the lead, but Nwachukwu’s shot, following an excellent run and pass from Alexa Maras, hit the crossbar. After a little more than half an hour of play, Hebar responded, but Hans Christian Bernat reacted to a shot attempt by William Fonkeu. Seconds later, Konstantinos Balogiannis forced Hebar’s goalkeeper Petar Debarliev into a save from a long-distance shot. By the end of the half, Maras, who was making his debut as a starter for Botev, had two chances, but the central forward couldn’t convert.
In the 51′, Nikola Iliev set up Nwachukwu in an excellent position, one-on-one with Debarliev, and the 18-year-old Nigerian made no mistake. This was his second goal in 10 matches across all competitions this season, and he also has two assists. Two minutes later, Botev had another chance to score. Maras got past Martin Mihaylov, but Debarliev blocked the Montenegrin’s shot. After an hour of play, an attempt by Iliev went just wide of Hebar’s goal. Substitute Vini Tribule also had opportunities to score, but in both instances, the offensive player was unable to double the “Canaries'” lead.
Botev now has 10 points from four matches in the championship. The “yellow-blacks” are in third place in the standings, and in the next round, Dusan Kerkez’s team will face Spartak (Varna).
Botev’s Starting Lineup: Hans Christian Bernat; 17. Nikolay Minkov, 5. Joonas Tamm, 27. Diabate Siriki, 38. Konstantinos Balogiannis; 28. Yanis Karabelov, 20. Antonio Perera; 21. Nikola Iliev, 10. Ivelin Popov (captain), 40. Christian Nwachukwu; 99. Alexa Maras.
