Ndubuisi Egbo’s KF Tirana failed to win the Albanian Super Cup title following Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Teuta Durres.
Rubin Hebaj’s first-half brace were all the Sea Boys needed to defeat the team handled by the former Nigeria international at the Elbasan Arena, with Jurgen Vrapi’s second-half goal a mere consolation.
Following their elimination from the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Red Star Belgrade, the reigning Albanian champions came into the game with the ambition of returning to winning ways, albeit, Edi Martini’s men had a different idea.
Hebaj gave Teuta Durres the lead after 21 minutes after goalkeeper Ilion Lika fumbled Lorenco Vila’s well-taken free-kick.
The forward doubled his team’s advantage in the 35th minute after Lika saved Vila’s penalty following Filip Najdovski’s foul, and Hebaj slotted the ball into an empty net before the Tirana defenders could clear the ball to safety.
Egbo’s team put up a strong attacking display in the second-half but would have themselves to blame for fluffing several scoring opportunities.
Durres were dealt a major blow in the 66th minute after Renato Arapi was sent off by the referee for a second caution.
Tirana reduced their deficit in the 77th minute courtesy of Vrapi, who replaced Ghana midfielder Winful Cobbinah. He drilled the ball past goalkeeper Stivi Frasheri after receiving a pass from Grent Halili.
That spurred the league champions to search for the all-important second strike but their attacking forays met strong resistant from Teuta Durres.
While Cobbinah was in action for 68 minutes, his compatriots Derick Sasraku, Ibrahim Sulley, Isaac Gyamfi and Richard Danso were not listed for the encounter.
Following this defeat, Egbo and his team will continue with their preparations ahead of the new season.
They are guests of KS Kastrioti Kruje in the opening game of 2020-21 campaign on September 12, while Teuta Durres take on KF Skenderbeu at the Niko Dovana Stadium.
The 47-year-old Egbo played for Tirana during his playing career, before returning to join the club's backroom staff as a goalkeeper coach in 2014 before his appointment as a manager in 2019.
