GOR SNEAK THROUGH: K’Ogalo, Muhoroni qualify for Top 8 semis after wins at Nyayo

Gor mahia's Ronald Omino. right and Aziz Okaka of Ushuru during Top8 Knockout tourney at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, May 2, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

For many football moments to come, talk will be centred on whether Gor Mahia’s winning goal against Ushuru in the Top-8 encounter yesterday at Nyayo Stadium was scored from an offside position, or not.

Rwandese striker Jacques Tuyisenge scored in the second half from what seemed to be an offside position, but referee Israel Mpaima let the result stand, much to the delight of K’Ogalo faithful and chagrin of Ushuru faithful.

“God is my witness. I’m not happy. There about four players who were in an offside position. This is not good,” said Ushuru coach, Ken Kenyatta.

Gor Mahia, who are the tournament’s defending champions and Muhoroni Youth qualified for the semifinals after beating their respective opponents in yesterday’s quarter-final double header at Nyayo Stadium.

Muhoroni defeated Sofapaka 3-0, while Gor Mahia pipped a resilient Ushuru 1-0 to join two-time winners Tusker and inaugural champions, Ulinzi Stars in the last four.

Gor Mahia will now meet Tusker in the two-legged semi-finals for the fourth time in a row, while Muhoroni lock horns with Ulinzi in the other semi.

After a frustrating goalless first half, Tuyisenga finally found the breakthrough through a controversial goal on the hour mark after his teammate interfered with play.

However, despite protests from Ushuru players, the goal stood as the 15-time Kenyan champions held their nerves to qualify for the semis.

In the first quarter final, goal from defender Wellington Ochieng’, current league leading scorer Wycliffe Ochomo and Moses Arita is all the Nyanza-based outfit needed to send a depleted Batoto Ba Mungu parking.

Muhoroni started the brighter side with Arita setting up Ochomo in the opening minutes, but the burly striker fluffed his shot.

However, Sofapaka responded immediately, but captain Barnabas Tiema blasted wide Brian Nyakan’s well executed cross.

Sofapaka could have gone ahead in the 11th minute through Tiema’s goal, but his apparently genuine goal was ruled offside before goalkeeper Evariste Mutuyimana pulled off a fine save from Arita’s effort on the stroke of halftime.

Muhoroni came back into the second half a more rejuvenated side, piling pressure on Sofapaka’s defence. The breakthrough came just after five minutes later through Ochieng’s bullet header from Abbas Akinyemi’s free kick.

Red-hot Ochomo then capitalised on Sofapaka’s defensive error to double the lead in the 75th minute before Arita’s stoppage time strike made the score line 3-0.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars junior team were crowned 2016 KPL U20 champions after beating Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 in post-match penalties after 1-1 tie in regulation time, in an early kick-off final match at Nyayo Stadium.

Ulinzi went ahead through Moses Mwangi’s 22nd minute strike before substitute Hassan Ng’ang’a equalised from a rebound in the second half.