KPL champs Gor Mahia packing out of GOtv Shield on post-match penalties

Eric Ochieng’ of Gor Mahia FC ?ght for the ball with Ken Mollar of GFE in their GOTV Shield knock-out match at Moi Stadium yesterday

Gor Mahia FC were bundled out of the GOtv Shield by minnows GFE 105 FC from Eldoret, who beat them 4-2 on post-match penalties at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium.

Second half substitute Simon Mburu gave Gor a 81st minute goal, but failed to convert a penalty kick alongside Musa Mohamed, whose spot kick went to the GFE custodian Caleb Wamalwa.

Haron Shakava and Erick Ochieng’ converted their penalties for Gor, while Sammy Kiptoo, Hezron Ochieng’, Dennis Shiveka and Duke Abuya all beat the KPL champions’ goalkeeper 4-2.

Mburu, had earlier scored in the 81st minute before Ochieng’ canceled the lead for a one-all regulation time draw.

At the first half break, the two teams were 0-0 in a match that was watched by thousands of fans who thronged the venue to support their club who had not played there for a decade.

The two teams started off the cautiously, playing defensively until the 34th minute when they settled in the game.

Initially, Gor had shown intent to win with Joseph Kariuki, Patrick Oboya, Ken Opiyo, Joseph Kariuki and Erick Ochieng’ setting up a good coordination that nearly saw them score.

In three instances, Oboya failed to tap in Erick Ochieng’ crosses and also failed to connect a good pass by Kariuki in the seventh minute.

With 12 minutes gone, GFE 105 started stabilizing with Vincent Mageto and Duke Abuya pausing a major threat to the Gor defence as they kept on surging towards the losers’ backyard.

Ken Opiyo of Gor missed by just inches going over the bar and minutes later Herbert Kopany sent his shot wide earning condemnation from the fans who shouted him down as he was only remaining with GFE 105 FC goalkeeper Wamalwa to beat.

Erick Asuma of GFE was the hero of his side as he thwarted every effort by Oboya and karioki who proved a thorn in the flesh of the Eldoret based side.

Whenever Gor Mahia’s Oboya and Karioki pounced on the ball enthusiastic fans cheered them on and they will have themselves to blame for failing to give the team an early goal because they had great opportunities upfront that they failed to utilize.

GFE were at some points forced to form a seven man shield on their back yard with Leornard Ambesa, Erick Asuma, Ken Moller, Elly Otieno, Sammy Kiptoo, Ayub Asila and Godfrey Osome forming the shield.

With Gor players surging ahead in search of goals, they left their goalkeeper David Juma vulnerable as Mageto, Abuya and Ochieng’ all found themselves being adjudged offside by referee Moses Osano.

Thousands of Gor fans thronged the venue with some atop the terrace wing and hundreds on the dump-site heap outside the stadium to watch the game.

In the second half it was a repeat of the first half encounter as Oboya, Karioki and Kopany raided the GFE yard unsuccessfully.

Second half Substitute innocent Mutiso brought new life into the game but only played for ten minutes and was injured and carried off the pitch reducing the Tusker Premier League side to ten men making GFE 105 capitalize on this to equalize.