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IF Elfsborg home to Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma will feature in the Europa League league phase after eliminating Molde FK in the qualifier match.

Ouma’s side will now have a date with European top sides including AS Roma, Tottenham, Braga, AZ Alkmaar, Qarabag, Galatasaray, Nice and Atletic Club in the league phase.

Timothy Ouma side concede

It took a penalty shootout to decide the playoff clash between IF Elfsborg and Molde FK. The second leg at Borås Arena was tightly contested, with the visitors leading 0-1 at full time, making it 1-1 on aggregate.

After a goalless extra time, it went to penalties, where Niklas Hult scored the decisive goal to secure a 4-2 victory for Elfsborg. Now, they are headed to the Europa League!

The yellow and black started the match with great energy, pressing the Norwegians into turnovers in the offensive half. However, after the opening minutes, the visitors managed to slow things down and even out the game.

But it was Elfsborg who had the first chance of the match in the 11th minute. Jalal Abdullai made a fine run down the right side, playing the ball to Ahmed Qasem, who set it up for Michael Baidoo. Unfortunately, his shot went straight at the visiting goalkeeper.

After the first 15 minutes, IF Elfsborg took control again, playing well and winning the ball high up the pitch on several occasions. A couple of half-chances followed, including a header from Terry Yegbe on a corner and a good shot just over the bar from Simon Hedlund after he drifted over to the left wing.

Towards the end of the half, the visitors evened out the game again, slowing the tempo in an attempt to find their rhythm.

With five minutes left in the half, the away team created their first two real chances of the match. In the 40th minute, a Molde player fired a low shot towards Isak Pettersson’s right post, but the goalkeeper saved it comfortably. In the next attack, the ball was played back into Elfsborg’s penalty area, but the shot went high over the bar.

With long throw-ins and a couple of corners, IF Elfsborg applied good pressure at the start of the second half. The visitors’ defense held firm, though, with strong aerial play, clearing the ball away.

The match then went back and forth, with neither team fully taking control. When Molde moved forward, they often did so with quick passes through the middle or fast balls behind Elfsborg’s defense.

It was the Norwegians who found the net in the 62nd minute. After some good passing, the visitors moved forward and into the penalty area before slotting the ball home. Following a lengthy VAR check, the goal was confirmed, with an offside situation being reviewed.

In the final half-hour of regular time, it was an even battle on the field. IF Elfsborg had the majority of the attacking attempts, but the visitors posed a threat with their quick through balls.

Both Michael Baidoo and Niklas Hult found themselves with chances in the penalty area, but their attempts hit the outside of the net.

IF Elfsborg pushed hard for a winner during regular time, and in the dying moments, they had a chance. Buhari Ibrahim got to a free-kick cross first and headed it towards the far side. Michael Baidoo was at the far post and lunged for the ball but couldn’t quite reach it. So close. The referee then blew for full time, and extra time awaited.

IF Elfsborg extra time

The visitors started the first half of extra time the better and controlled the first 6-7 minutes before IF Elfsborg leveled things out.

However, there were few chances, and both teams took few risks in their attacking play.

The second half of extra time remained tight. With tired legs, a few mispasses or miskicks crept in from both teams. Molde almost capitalized on a mistake by Buhari Ibrahim when he failed to control the ball, but the Molde player’s shot went well over Isak Pettersson’s crossbar.

After the coin toss, it was clear that the visitors would take the first penalty. It was also decided that the penalties would be taken in front of the Elfsborg supporters, to the delight of the home fans.

Isak Pettersson stepped up between the posts and guessed correctly, saving the visitors’ first penalty!

On the other side, IF Elfsborg had no issues from the penalty spot. Michael Baidoo, Simon Hedlund, and Besfort Zeneli all confidently converted their penalties, while the visitors scored their second, missed their third, and converted their fourth.

This left Niklas Hult with the chance to seal the victory. He stepped up and calmly placed the ball high into the left corner, securing a 4-2 win in the shootout and sending IF Elfsborg through to the Europa League!