Neil Lennon masterminds Cypriot Cup triumph as ex Celtic boss 'ousted' in dramatic Final

Former Celtic and Hibs manager Neil Lennon has won the Cypriot Cup for Omonia Nicosia against Ethnikos Achnas - even after being punished for protesting

Things couldn't have started worse for the GSP Stadium club, losing defender Shehu Abdullahi to a red card after only five minutes.

They managed to hang on though for the entirety of the match at 0-0 and took the game down to the wire in extra-time.

Penalty kicks were needed to decided after the deadlock couldn't be broken as the Northern Irishman was 'ousted' according to the club's website for protesting.

Nicosia had won this competition 14 times but their last prior to this one came 10 years ago, with one Cypriot Championship and a sole Cypriot Super Cup won since.

Lennon has returned the trophy to them after a 5-4 spot-kick success sealed silverware.

The former Celtic midfielder was appointed as boss by Nicosia in March, his first management gig since leaving Parkhead in 2021.

His team have lost once since his arrival and made the final after a 3-1 semi-final win over Anorthosis across two legs.

Both teams walked out to an intense display of pyrotechnics for the final, featuring fireworks and flares at Nicosia's home ground, with supporters of Lennon's men unveiling an impressive green and white tifo.

It's a chance for the 50-year-old to rebuild his management career after his second stint in charge at Celtic ended with the calamitous bid for 10 Premiership titles in succession.