Nzoia United eliminate holders Gor from Gotv race

AFC LEOPARDS- GOR MAHIA 2013 GOTV SHIELD Security guard 2014 GOtv Shield at City Stadium, Nairobi on Monday 20/10/14.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Nzoia Sugar qualified for the quarter-finals of the GOtv Shield Cup after edging out Gor Mahia 1-0 at the Mumias Complex on Sunday.

Edgar Nzano scored the solitary goal for Nzoia in the 30th minute, momentarily stopping the drum beats by Gor fans who had turned out in their hundreds for the game.

The defending champions will have to blame Ernest Wendo, who handled the ball as he tried to clear a Bolton Omwenga shot, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Nzoia, also the National Super League leaders on 51 points, and who have gone 22 unbeaten matches, had shown their clear intentions after they started off the game on a high note, winning two successive corners within the first five minutes of the encounter.

In the ninth minute, Omwenga set the ball upfront to find Brian Yakhama, who would have scored after beating the barrier by Gor Mahia’s Erick Ouma and Musa Mohamed but sent the ball above the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Enock Agwanda was at the right place and the right time but failed to tap in Ouma’s cross.

In the 12th minute, Harun Shakava sent Jacques Tuyisenge a cross that missed his head which could have resulted into a goal.

Gor Mahia then stabilised into the game with Godfrey Walusimbi, Francis Kahata and Tuyisenge bringing in nice counters.

It is not only Gor Mahia that enjoyed the possession in the GOtv Shield round of 16 as Masita Masuta, Nzano and Luke Namanda raided the Gor Mahia area but a confident Boniface Oluoch repulsed them.

Nzoia players seemed energetic in the game as they ran from end to end as the game gained momentum.