St Augustine’s College has suffered a painful defeat to Tema powerhouse, Chemu SHS after leading the quarterfinal clash from Round One to the last three seconds of the contest.

The Cape Coast giants were billed as favourites and they looked like they will live up to expectation until Round Four when they botched their chances in a series of wrong answers which saw them lose precious marks.

Chemu SHS took the advantage and closed the gap between themselves and the two-time champions from the Central Region.

For Augusco, the stakes were higher because they are chasing a third title after establishing themselves as the new day favourites of the Primetime competition.

Congratulations 🎊 to Chemu SHS for making it to Semifinals.#NSMQinKumasi #NSMQ2021 #Primetime #NSMQWithAbsa pic.twitter.com/Uj47ogrfFs

— #NSMQ2021 (@NSMQGhana) November 19, 2021

But, as the scene was set for them to carry the day and set them up against a familiar foe whom they already defeated two years ago to lift the trophy, disaster struck.

The final Round has four riddles for all three schools to answer in a ‘fastest fingers’ fashion.

Augusco picked the first and second riddle to re-establish their lead, albeit with only a point. The third riddle went unanswered and the hearts of all the green-coloured boys were broken when Chemu SHS rang for the last riddle and answered correctly.

The last riddle called and they answered!
What a performance, what a show, what a contest, what a way to send the 2019 champions home.

Omnia Vincit Labor, perseverance really conquers all.
Well done Chemu SHS!#NSMQ2021 #NSMQinKumasi #Primetime pic.twitter.com/eCQNw4MqRD

— #NSMQ2021 (@NSMQGhana) November 19, 2021

Although Chemu came in as the underdog, the one-time finalists say they knew they had the upper hand against the 2019 champions.

“We knew we will beat them so we were just calm,” the contestants told JoyNews after the thrilling contest.

Chemu now faces three-time champions St. Peter’s SHS and likely Presec Legon who are favourites in the last quarter final clash for the day.