CSKA secured their place in the semi-finals of the Bulgarian Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory over rivals CSKA 1948 on Wednesday, . The match, played at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, saw goals from Ioannis Pitas and Max Ebong seal the win for the “Redmen.”
Pitas opened the scoring in the 9th minute, capitalizing on a well-placed pass from Isak Sole and a subsequent setup from Brahimi. The early goal provided not only a lead on the scoreboard but too a significant psychological advantage for CSKA. Ebong then added a second goal in the 74th minute, marking his first goal for the club and effectively extinguishing any hopes of a comeback from CSKA 1948.
The victory wasn’t without its early moments of uncertainty. In the opening minutes, Leo Pereira had a shot sail just wide of the net, and shortly after, Pitas himself was denied by a strong save from CSKA 1948 goalkeeper Dimitar Sheitanov. But, CSKA quickly established control, and Pitas’s goal set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Mohamed Brahimi also had an opportunity to extend the lead in the 26th minute, successfully navigating past Furat Soltani but failing to uncover the target with his shot. Late in the game, Ivan Turitsov came close with a long-range effort that narrowly missed the goal.
The result sees CSKA advance to the semi-final stage of the Sesame Bulgarian Cup, where they will await the outcome of the remaining quarter-final matches to determine their opponent. This win represents a significant step forward in CSKA’s pursuit of silverware this season.
Following the defeat, the financial benefactor of CSKA 1948 reacted to the quarter-final exit via social media. He posted a comment on a popular Bulgarian football page that read, “Well, people have said it…”, accompanied by the hashtag “#играхменеграмотно” (which translates to “#playedilliterately”). The post was in response to a message on the page stating, “No stress today for the stupid tin can.”
The businessman has a history of using social media to express his opinions on football and, specifically, his club. This latest comment, however, appears to be a particularly blunt assessment of his team’s performance in the cup tie. The use of the hashtag suggests a critical view of the tactical approach or execution of the game plan.
CSKA 1948 will now need to refocus their efforts on their league campaign, where they will aim to improve their performance and build momentum for future matches. The cup defeat will undoubtedly serve as a painful lesson, and the club’s benefactor’s public criticism adds another layer of pressure as they appear to bounce back.
The match highlighted CSKA’s attacking prowess, with Pitas and Ebong proving to be key contributors. Pitas’s early goal demonstrated his ability to capitalize on opportunities, while Ebong’s first goal for the club will be a significant confidence boost. The team’s overall performance suggests they are in good form heading into the semi-finals.
For CSKA 1948, the defeat raises questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. Despite a strong following and financial backing, the team has struggled to consistently deliver results against their rivals. The benefactor’s public criticism underscores the expectations within the club and the pressure to achieve success.
The semi-final draw will be closely watched by fans of both teams, as they await the opportunity to witness CSKA continue their cup run and potentially lift the trophy. The competition is heating up, and the remaining matches promise to be filled with drama and excitement.
