Willy Semedo leads Omonia comeback, becomes top scorer

Poacher extraordinaire Willy Semedo is in top form for both the Cape Verde national team and also his club, Cypriot side AC Omonia. On Monday, the veteran striker scored both goals to lead Omonia to a 2-1 comeback victory over Pafos FC in a top-of-the-table clash.

Heading into the match in top spot, Pafos frustrated hosts Omonia by scoring with their only shot on target all match to take a halftime lead through Romanian midfielder Vlad Dragomir.

However, the hosts increased their efforts substantially in the second half and it was Semedo, a former Pafos player himself, who scorched his former club to boost his current team into first place. In the 65th minute, the #7 collected a low cross from Muamer Tankovic and fired a shot that just snuck past Pafos keeper Jay Gorter to equalize.

It appeared that the hosts would be forced to settle for only a point but a final push at the end moved them to victory. Former Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic, on as a substitute, was tripped up in the Pafos penalty area. After a long VAR review and delay, a penalty kick was awarded and Semedo fired his spot kick just out of the reach of Gorter to send the home supporters into delirium.

Willy Semedo: Hero for club and country

With 19 points through 8 matches, the club based in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia are now one point clear of Pafos on the table. Semedo is now top scorer through eight rounds in the Cypriot top flight with seven goals. He also has 4 goals in 8 matches from the UEFA Conference League.

The lanky forward’s sizzling form for his club is now translating to success with the Cape Verde national team. He scored in both of the Blue Sharks’ matches over the October FIFA window, including the second goal in a historic 3-0 home victory against Eswatini that qualified Cape Verde for their first-ever World Cup.

Omonia, who have won six of their last seven league matches, will look to build on their momentum away at last placed Paralimni on Saturday.