Late Napsa penalty knocks Gor Mahia out of Caf Confederation Cup

Philemon Otieno (Left) of Gor Mahia FC contest for the ball with Jimmy Mukeya of NAPSA Stars FC during their First Leg clash in play-offs of CAF Confederation Cup at Nyayo national stadium in Nairobi on February 14, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Emmanuel Mayuka scored a 96th-minute penalty as Zambian side Napsa Stars drew 2-2 with Gor Mahia on Sunday to qualify for the Group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup with a 3-2-win aggregate. 

K’Ogalo seemed to be on their way to the group stage after leading 2-1 for almost the entire match, but their dreams were shattered after a controversial penalty saw their hard work undone in the last minute of the match.

The record Kenyan champions travelled to Lusaka with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg played at the Nyayo Stadium last week, knowing nothing short of a win would see them through. 

Gor seemed to be on the right path to victory courtesy of Samuel Onyango and Cliffton Miheso goals first-half goals only for Mayuka to break their hearts from the spot with virtually the last kick of the match.

Onyango gave the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead in the 17th minute beating the Napsa goalkeeper with a clever shot from just outside the box after some nice interplay with captain Kenneth Muguna.

Gor’s lead lasted less than a minute as the hosts leveled almost immediately, with Austin Banda sneaking behind the defense to score from close range. 

Two minutes later, Miheso restored Gor’s one-goal advantage with his shot coming off the post to give the visitors a narrow 2-1 lead at the break.

In the second half, Gor came out the better side, holding on to their narrowly lead.

KÓgalo had their eyes on a place in the group phase but Mayuka’s late penalty stabbed them right in their hearts.

Gor had faced a difficult build-up to the match, arriving in Lusaka less than three hours before the game.

The Green Army's focus will now shift to the domestic scene where they will be looking to reclaim the KPL crown.