Black Stars defender Alexander Djiku delivered a commanding performance as Spartak Moscow booked their place in the Russian Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over giants Zenit St. Petersburg.
The semi-final clash ended goalless after regulation time, forcing the contest into penalties where Spartak edged their rivals 7-6 in a marathon shootout.
The Red-Whites had earlier missed a chance to take the lead in regulation time, with Argentine midfielder Esequiel Barco failing to convert from the spot in the 44th minute but still held on to secure victory and progress to the final.
The 31-year-old was solid at the heart of defence throughout the game, helping his side keep a clean sheet against a strong Zenit attack. He also showed composure by stepping up to take Spartak’s first penalty in the shootout.
The bulky defender took to social media after the game to heap praise on his teammates for the crucial derby victory and also reaching the cup final
“Great win. Proud of the team and the spirit we showed. These are the moments we live for, especially in derby games. Let’s keep going!”
The Gladiators will now face FC Krasnodar in the final, which will be played over two legs, with the first leg slated for May 5, 2026.
