Abahani players celebrate two-goal Emeka Christian's (2nd from L) winning goal against Chittagong Mohammedan in yesterday's Citycell Super Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.Photo: STAR

Emeka Christian fired two poacher's goal to help Abahani tame a stubborn Chittagong Mohammedan 2-1 in a come-from-behind win yesterday to all but confirm a place in the Citycell Super Cup semifinal.
The visitors went ahead after 39 minutes to stun a 10,000-strong holiday crowd at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with an exquisite strike by Guinean forward Raphael Sagno but Abahani answered within five minutes through their Nigerian marksman Emeka.
Tempers flared from both sides in the second half but Abahani sealed their second win in as many matches with Emeka scoring his fourth goal of the competition just two minutes from time.
Sheikh Russel kept their hopes alive for a semifinal berth after a scrappy 1-0 win against winless Rahmatganj in the day's first match.
Abahani lead Group A with maximum six points and play Russel, on three points with this victory after a 2-0 loss to Chittagong Mohammedan, in tomorrow's group finale. The port city side, who are up against Rahmatganj tomorrow, also have three points but edge Russel in the table by virtue of better goal difference.
Abahani, who crushed Rahmatganj 3-0 in the tournament opener, did not show similar spirit as their rivals not only defended doggedly but also got the first real chance on the break in a match where little scoring opportunities were created.
Raphael set a square pass for Nasir inside the box after 27 minutes but the retired Army striker placed his shot wide of Biplab's far post.
Ten minutes later, Abahani threatened to score for the first time when Emeka got the ball from an Abul corner but the Nigerian failed to keep his backvolley under the bar.
Two minutes later, the Sky Blues were punished for slack defending at the left as Chittagong Mohammedan's Liberian midfielder Doe drop-headed a cross by skipper Kaiser to Raphael, who sent the ball into the top far corner with a spectacular backvolley.
The joy for the tourists did not last long as defending two-time B. League champions came level on the brink of halftime.
Pranotosh drove an angled shot into the side netting from close in the 41st minute before Waly Faisal's throw-in from the left side unsettled the Chittagong Black and Whites.
Ibrahim, once again showing top form by leading most of Abahani attacks, sent the ball to Emeka inside the six-yard box and the attacking midfielder, despite being marked by two opponents, rifled into the roof of the net.
The ball remained mostly in the middle after resumption but Mohammedan's four foreigners committed too many fouls, sparking their opposition to retaliate. Ibrahim and Doe were both booked after a scuffle before Abahani veteran Joy escaped a sent-off decision for elbowing Raphael during an off-the-ball action.
Referee Azad Rahman only showed a yellow card to the former club and national midfielder, who finally had the first touch in Abahani's winning goal.
Joy's long-range shot set Ibrahim inside the box but the Ghanaian was dispossessed by centre-back Shawkat. The resulting corner by substitute Zahed Parvez was cleared by Chittagong defenders outside their area but Abahani central defender Sujan's first-time volley picked up Emeka who blasted in a low drive from handshaking distance.
Earlier, Rahmatganj dominated the entire first half but their prolific Ugandan striker Idris's subdued form cost them heavily. Idris fluffed three chances while keeper Azam made two fine saves before the break to keep Russel in the game.
Their chance came six minutes into the second half when Rahmatganj's Ghanaian defender Kaba mistimed a clearance on Samir Omari's right-side cross to allow Serbian recruit Vukadin Milunovic put Russel ahead with a first-time volley from seven yards out.
Russel failed to utilise their remaining half chances and made a great escape six minutes from the final whistle. Hanif chipped the ball from the right but captain Francis nodded the ball onto the post from close to dash Rahmatganj's hopes in the group.