Kaikai’s Late Double Fails to Rescue Cambridge United Against Birmingham

In a match that showcased the drama and unpredictability of the FA Cup, Sullay Kaikai almost inspired a remarkable comeback for Cambridge United, but his heroics fell just short as the League One side lost 3–2 to Birmingham City in a Third Round encounter at St. Andrew’s.

For the first 70 minutes, Birmingham City appeared comfortably on course for the Fourth Round. The Blues dominated possession and executed clinical finishing to build a commanding 3–0 lead, leaving the home fans already celebrating their progression.

However, the tide turned when Kaikai, the Sierra Leone international, stepped into the spotlight. In the 78th minute, he struck a powerful shot from the edge of the area to beat the Birmingham goalkeeper, giving Cambridge fans a glimmer of hope. Minutes later, Kaikai capitalized on a defensive lapse to score his second of the match, narrowing the deficit to 3–2 and transforming a seemingly comfortable game into a tense finale.

The closing stages were frantic, with Cambridge United throwing everything forward, including sending their goalkeeper up for a late corner in search of an equalizer. Kaikai remained at the center of the action, nearly setting up a late header that narrowly missed the target. Despite the relentless pressure, Birmingham’s defense held firm, and the final whistle confirmed their hard-fought 3–2 victory.

While Birmingham City advances to the Fourth Round, Cambridge United can take pride in their spirited performance. Kaikai’s two-goal display, in particular, stood out as one of the individual highlights of the Third Round.

A Cambridge United spokesperson reflected on the effort:

“To come back from three goals down is a massive ask, but Sullay showed incredible character. We gave it everything, but we just ran out of time.”