Dynamic Herb Cebu suffered a setback in its two-legged qualifying playoff for the 2025–26 Shopee Cup, falling 2-1 to Brunei Super League side Kasuka in the first leg on Friday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei.
Nigerian striker Jacob Njoku powered the hosts to victory, tapping in Daisuke Kobayashi’s low cross in the 17th minute before sealing his brace with a composed finish in the 31st.
In between Njoku’s goals, Rico Andes—formerly of Far Eastern University in the UAAP—pounced on a poor clearance by a Kasuka defender to fire home Cebu’s equalizer in the 27th minute.
Cebu pushed for another leveler late in the match but couldn’t break through.
Kasuka goalkeeper MD Wardun Yussof kept out Esrom Paulos’ curling free kick and comfortably dealt with JB Borlongan’s strike from the left flank.
Despite the defeat, Cebu still has a chance to overturn the deficit when it hosts Kasuka in the second leg next Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The winner will clinch a spot in this year’s group stage.
