Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Afolabi’s goal to remember rescues cup tie to forget for Dundee
DUNDEE avoided being on the wrong end of one of the Scottish Cup’s greatest shocks with just seconds to spare as Jonathan Afolabi struck to keep them in the competition.
Bonnyrigg Rose were moments from joining Fraserburgh almost 62 years ago in dumping the Dark Blues out of the cup as a non-league side.
The Lowland League outfit gained plenty of deserved plaudits for their performance in what turned out to be an epic tie at Dens Park.
Twice taking the lead through Lee Currie penalties, the Rosey Posey were finally bested by a Dark Blues side that boasted a 26-time Scotland international in Charlie Adam and a former million-pound striker in Osman Sow.
It was almost a night to forget for the hosts. However, scoring a late goal in a pulsating cup tie is something Jonathan Afolabi has dreamed of his entire life.
Speaking before it emerged he had been subject to vile racist abuse on social media, Afolabi said of his first Scottish Cup tie: “It was a huge relief as we were in the last seconds of the game and I am delighted it went in.
“I just want to kick on now at Dundee.
“This is one of those games that I will remember for a long time. It is one of my first professional games and it is good to get a lastminute goal like that.
“It is something you always dream of as a kid.”
The Republic of Ireland Under21 international arrived at Dundee on loan from Celtic in September and has netted twice in his last two appearances from the bench to add to a strike against Morton earlier in the campaign.
Afolabi joined Celtic from Southampton in August 2019 and had a short spell on loan to Dunfermline in the Championship last season.
At East End Park he netted twice in six games, making the 20-year-old’s entire senior career read five goals in 16 games.
And he’s determined to add more during his temporary stay at Dundee as he looks to force his way back into the starting line-up.
A hamstring injury has troubled him in recent weeks but now Afolabi is keen to kick on.
“I just have to take every chance I get with both hands,” he added. “I am glad I am doing that at the moment and I hope to keep that going for the club, the team and myself.
“The good thing about this team – there is competition everywhere.
“We know we can get the best out of each other every week.
“Osman Sow is a great striker and it is good to see him back in form after returning from injury at the start of the season.
“It is good to learn from someone with his experience.
“I am happy for him and I am happy for the team that he is in such great form.”
Sow was also on target as he netted the winning goal after 111 minutes of the cup clash.
For the majority of the contest, however, it looked like the Dark Blues were heading for an embarrassing home exit.
On the back of six matches unbeaten and an impressive victory over Hearts the previous week, Dundee were slow out of the blocks early on.
And Bonnyrigg made them pay for their lethargy by enjoying the better of the opening half and deserving their half-time lead.
Looking dangerous in attack, the Lowland League outfit created a gilt-edged chance early on as George Hunter ran through on goal only to see his fierce effort superbly stopped by Jack Hamilton in the home goal.