QUARTERS SHOWDOWN: Leopards beaten but still qualify for last eight in U-20 tourney

KPL under 20 Championships at Tayoyo Stadium Sofapaka player David Odhiambo(l) and Western Stima Maxwel Ochieng fight for the ball when they played KPL Under 20 Championships at Tayoyo Stadium,Kayole, Nairobi. They drew 0-0. ON 16/04/16 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Kakamega Homeboyz came from two goals down to shock AFC Leopards 3-2 in the ongoing Kenyan Premier League (KPL) under-20 tournament at Camp Toyoyo ground.

Both teams however made it to the quarter-finals of the competition. The last eight matches will be played on Tuesday.

Leopards were the more dominant side for a better part of the match and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Lucky Safari scored from the penalty spot.

Then ten minutes later, Leopards seem to have wrapped up the proceedings when Eric Kinuthia scored a second.

But Kakamega Homeboyz coached by Gilbert Selebwa, hit back just before the half way mark when Mohammed Dhulkife pulled one back.

Homeboyz were awarded a penalty just before the break which Mutinda Wambua sent home to put them on level terms.

The all-important goal came in the 55th minute through Kelvin Mothiri’s strike.

The victory ensured that Homeboyz finished top of group ‘D’ while Leopards finished runners-up.

Homeboyz will play Sofapaka in Tuesday’s quarter-final.

Sofapaka made it to the last eight after edging out Ushuru 1-0 in another match also played at Camp Toyoyo grounds on Thursday.

After a barren first half, Sofapaka ensured victory with a Reuben Mao goal late in the second half.

Defending champions Mathare United take on Western Stima in the second quarter-final match. Mathare edged out Sony Sugar 3-2 to ensure they make it to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

David owino and Peter Wanyonyi put Mathare ahead early on before Tobias Ooko pulled one back for the sugar millers. Then Wilfred Otieno levelled matters for Sony Sugar and from here it was anybody’s game.

Second half substitute Ezekiel Mugendi scored the all-important goal for Mathare in the 80th minute sending the winners to the last eight and sending Sony Sugar packing.

Western Stima ensured their qualification to the last eight despite a 1-1 draw against Posta Rangers. Stima needed just a draw to advance.

The third quarter-final match will see Gor Mahia take on Muhoroni Youth.

Gor Mahia will be determined to seek revenge on behalf of their senior counterparts considering that Muhoroni beat Gor Mahia senior team in the final of the KPL Top 8 tournament.

Gor Mahia thrashed Ulinzi Stars 5-1 to ensure their passage to the last eight. Mohammed Mahmoud scored first for Ulinzi, but a brace from Nahashon Thiongo and a hat-trick from Hillary Ojuang ensured Gor made it through.

The last quarter-final match will see Bandari take on AFC Leopards. The winner of the tournament will pocket Sh500,000.