KPL title contenders dispatch Sony Sugar to reach GOtv Shield final

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Gor Mahia’s Eric Ochieng’ (left) controls the ball away from Sony Sugar’s Charles Odette in a GOTtv Shield semi-final match at Moi Kasarani Stadium, yesterday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO / STANDARD]

Gor Mahia edged out Sony Sugar 4-2 on post-match penalties on Saturday’s GOtv Shield first semi-final match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

But the match was overshadowed by violence after Gor fans attacked Sony Sugar goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya.

Kasaya had allegedly insulted the fans who immediately after the final whistle cornered him and rained blows and kicks on him.

It took the intervention of Gor scouts to save Kasaya from serious harm as they whisked him to the dressing room to receive treatment.

Some fans were overheard claiming that the goalkeeper had insulted them while others said it was revenge for Kasaya’s alleged attack on Gor goalkeeper Jerim Onyango during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) second leg match recently.

The said match ended prematurely and is a subject of an appeal before the relevant Football Kenya Federation (FKF) committee.

But someone will also have to answer for the apparent security lax as fans were allowed inside the pitch without restraint, putting in danger the lives of both sets of players.

After a barren draw, the match went to penalties where Gor goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda rescued his club when he saved Charles Odette’s penalty.

Ben Barasa blasted wide also for Sony who scored only two penalties through Marwa Chamberi and Wycliff Nyangechi.

Gor’s penalties were scored by Patrick Oboya, Kevin Omondi, Joseph Wanyonyi and David Owino.

Gor were on the offensive from the word go with Kasaya being forced to make a finger tip save after David Owino had attempted to chip the ball over him.

In the seventh minute, Sony defender Charles Odette brought down Paul Kiongera and referee Raphael Nduati pointed to the spot.

But Gor fans were denied early celebrations when Kevin Omondi failed to convert from the spot and instead was denied by Kasaya who easily picked the effort.

Gor continued to pile the pressure and were awarded with an 18th minute corner. A determined Sony side gained confidence as the match progressed and they broke through for the first time in the 20th minute but the reward was a fruitless corner.

The rest of the match was punctuated by missed chances from both sides as the front men struggled to end the deadlock. In the end a barren draw was a fair result for their effort.

Gor will play the winners of today’s other semi-final match pitting Sofapaka against AFC Leopards at the same venue.

The winners of the competition will pocket Sh2million and an opportunity to represent the country in next year’s Confederations Cup.Mike Simiyu from Western Stima then went on to score the final goal of the game that sealed the victory for western Stima.