In an evening match, Butwal Lumbini beat Pokhara Thunders 2-0. Foreign recruit Armand Beadoum netted a goal for Butwal Lumbini, while Pokhara defender Ajit Bhandari scored an own goal in the second half.
Beadoum put BLFC ahead in the 42nd minute when the unmarked striker headed home following a free kick from Man Bahadur Pariyar.
BLFC doubled the tally in the 76th minute, thanks to an own goal from Bhandari, who put the ball into his own nets while trying to clear the ball centred by Amir Shrestha.
Armand Beadoum was named the man of the match, while his Butwal Lumbini FC teammate Amir Shrestha was adjudged the emerging player.
A total of seven teams are taking part in the first-ever franchise-based football tournament organised by Nepal Sports and Event Management Pvt Ltd under the sponsorship of Khukri.
The winners of the tournament will be richer by Rs 3.5 million, while the runners-up will get Rs 1.5 million.
The best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward and emerging player of the tournament will get Rs 100,000 each, while man-ofthe-match in each game will receive Rs 25,000. The emerging footballer will be awarded with Rs 10,000 in each match.