Tusker lift DStv Trophy after outshooting KPL champs Gor Mahia

By GILBERT WANDERA

KENYA: Tusker edged Gor Mahia 6-5 on post-match penalties to win the first edition of the DStv Super Cup at the Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

The loss elicited anger from Gor Mahia fans ahead of today’s elections at the same venue with a section of supporters blaming the exit of veteran goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda for the loss.

Mapunda, who has since left to join Tanzanian giants Simba, was always looked upon to help Gor Mahia in knock-out matches with his knack for saving penalties.

In his absence, Gor were always in trouble as Jerim Onyango failed to stop any of the spot-kicks from Tusker.

After full time, the results stood at 1-1 after new comer Kevin Oluoch had put Gor Mahia ahead in the 22nd minute sending home the ball past Samuel Odhiambo in the Tusker goal from a corner kick well executed by David Owino.

Tusker’s equaliser was also scored by a new comer Lloyd Wahome who tapped home from a Joshua Oyoo corner kick in the 65th.

Tusker should have wrapped up matters early in the match but were let down by poor finishing. In the first quarter alone, they threw away three chances with Jesse Were the biggest culprit. First he failed to put home Joshua Oyoo’s well curled cross in the third minute. Then from an Omar Aboud free kick,  Were was too slow allowing Jerim Onyango to block his effort after 10 minutes.

Gor quickly exerted themselves and took the match to their opponents and were rewarded in the 22nd when Kevin Oluoch tapped home past Samuel Odhiambo in the Tusker goal.

Tusker almost equalised on resuming play but their effort ended in a fruitless corner. In the 25th minute, the wasteful Jesse Were again failed to tap home after Ali Abondo had done the donkey work.

Five minutes later, Dan Sserunkuma and Paul Kiongera combined well but the former’s last shot panned just wide.

Tusker’s Ali Abondo then had his well executed cross blocked by David Owino. Also, Were should have redeemed himself in injury time after forcing Jerim Onyango in the Gor Mahia goal to stretch and keep out the danger.

Determined to get something from the match, Tusker were the first to threaten on resumption with Lloyd Wahome’s header from a Joshua Oyoo corner missing the target by inches.

In the 56th Edwin Lavatsa reacted quickly to keep out an Abondo effort. Tusker rested Fredrick Onyango for Clifford Alwanga at the hour mark in a move that gave them more options upfront resulting in their equaliser. Tusker scored all their five penalties through Ismail Dunga, Osborne Monday, Clifford Alwanga, Brian Osumba and Ali Abondo.

Gor replied through, David Owino, Dan Sserunkuma, Donald Mosoti and Kevin Oluoch while Solomon Nasio’s shot was blocked.

The brewers earned Sh750,000 and Gor with Sh500,000.