Former France international headed home an Arya Yousefi’s long throw two minutes into the game as the Hazfi Cup champion lifted a first trophy under French head coach Patrice Carteron.
Persepolis dominated the ball possession in both halves but was again wasteful in front of the goal, with Sepahan keeper Payam Niazmand denying the Tehran Reds on several occasions, as Karim Baqeri suffered a first defeat in three outings as the interim coach.
An assistant to his Spanish predecessor Juan Carlos Garrido, Baqeri went on to confirm in the post-match press conference that this was his last game in the caretaker role, urging the club hierarchy to hire the new manager ahead of a hectic fixtures list.
Chasing an eighth domestic league crown in nine years, Persepolis will visit Zob Ahan on return to top-flight action on Tuesday, before taking on title rivals Tractor and Sepahan in the league and cup, as well as Saudi giants Al Hilal and Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite, during a seven-game schedule over the next 30 days.
“We had more of the ball throughout the game but failed to capitalize on our chances and an error in marking in the early stages eventually cost us,” Baqeri said after the game.
When asked about his future on the Reds bench, Baqeri said: “I already said yesterday that I wouldn’t be the head coach under any circumstances after the Super Cup game. The club is working hard on it and I just hope the new manager is unveiled as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Carteron was thrilled by the “morale-boosting” victory for his men in the quest to end their decade-long drought in the Iranian top division.
“The result will definitely have a positive impact on our campaign. Our team has had a better head-to-head record against Persepolis over the past 10 years, but they have won more trophies. So, we will just have to build on the confidence to continue with the right mindset and make sure we won’t lose much points in the future league games,” said the Frenchman, whose team has been unbeaten in seven games, winning five, since he took over from Portuguese Jose Morais in November.
Sepahan is second to Tractor in the table on goal difference – three points clear of Persepolis in third – at the halfway point of league, resuming the competition at Chadormalou on Tuesday.