Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-03-16 15:31:20
Coventry pulled off a shocking comeback in stoppage time to defeat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux and secure a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since their victory in 1987. Despite being in the Championship, Coventry showed resilience and determination against the Premier League side.
The match seemed to be slipping away from Coventry when Wolves scored two late goals in the last seven minutes of regular time. However, Ellis Simms came to the rescue with his second goal of the match in the 97th minute, before setting up Hagi Wright to score the winning goal just three minutes later. The home side was missing key players in their front three due to injuries, giving Coventry the opportunity to dominate the game.
Simms, who missed a crucial chance in the first half, redeemed himself by scoring the controversial opener after a header from Liam Kitching rebounded off him. Despite a handball check, the goal was allowed to stand, much to the dismay of Wolves. Coventry had numerous chances to extend their lead, with Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
As the match seemed to be heading towards extra time, Rayan Ait-Nouri equalized for Wolves before setting up Hugo Bueno for their second goal. However, Coventry refused to back down, with Simms scoring a header in the 97th minute to level the score once again. In a dramatic turn of events, Coventry secured the victory in the 100th minute when Wright scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the box.
Coventry, once a founding member of the Premier League, has experienced a decline in recent years, dropping down to the fourth tier of English football. However, under the leadership of Mark Robins, they have managed to secure two promotions and came close to returning to the Premier League last season. The prospect of playing at Wembley once again in the semi-finals is a remarkable achievement for the club.
Looking ahead, Coventry could potentially face the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool in the semi-finals. City, who are chasing another treble, are set to play Newcastle in their FA Cup quarter-final, while Liverpool will take on Manchester United and Chelsea will face Leicester in the other quarter-final ties on Sunday. It has been an incredible journey for Coventry, and their unexpected triumph against Wolves has put them one step closer to FA Cup glory.
