Zaidu Sanusi makes cameo appearance as 10-man Porto win Taca de Portugal

Zaidu Sanusi makes cameo appearance as 10-man Porto win Taca de Portugal

Ayoola Kelechi 19:49 - 04.06.2023

Nigerian defender Zaidu Sanusi won the Taca de Portugal with Porto to end the 2022/23 season on a high

Super Eagles full-back Zaidu Sanusi helped Porto win the Taca de Portugal after coming on in the final victory against Braga

Zaidu Sanusi wins Taca de Portugal with Porto 

Despite a red card midway through the second half, Porto hung on to claim a 2-0 win against Braga to win the Portuguese Cup on Sunday. 

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Although he did not start the final, Sanusi was called upon when defender Wendell was sent off for a horror tackle against Braga’s Victor Gomez. 

The Brazilian defender had been yellow-carded, but the card was changed to red upon VAR review. 

At that point, Porto were already a goal ahead after an own goal by Braga’s André Horta just minutes after the start of the second half. 

Porto win three Taca de Portugal titles in four years

Following the red card, Braga tried to put pressure on Porto, but the move also opened up Minho's Arsenal’s defence allowing the defending Taca champions, Porto make a number of counter-attacks in the closing stages of the game. 

One such counter-attack cost Braga their numerical advantage as Sikou Niakate was sent off for a last-man challenge in the 79th minute of the tie. 

Soon after Niakate’s sending-off, Porto made certain of their win with a second goal as yet another fast break allowed Wenderson Galeno set up Otavio to make it 2-0 to Porto with less than 10 minutes left in the match. 

Porto claimed the Taca de Portugal to end the season on a high after missing out on the Portuguese league title by only two points to rivals Benfica. 

The win over Braga earned Porto their second consecutive Taca de Portugal and their third title in four years, with Nigeria’s Sanusi being part of all three winning teams. 

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