Gor Mahia, Murang’a Seal into FKF Cup semi-finals

Photo Credit - Gor Mahia FC.

Gor Mahia booked their place in the semi-finals of the domestic Football Kenya Federation (FKF) MozzartBet Cup following a 2-0 win against Kariobangi Sharks at Dandora Stadium on Thursday.

K’Ogalo took the lead in the 16th minute when Cameroonian import Patrick Essombe – who joined the league's record title-winners in the mid-season transfer window from Sportive de Douala – found the back of the net from close range. Gor Mahia remained dominant after the goal, but they could not extend their lead and went in at half-time with a 1-0 cushion.

In the second half, substitute Gedeon Bendeka received the first yellow card following a clumsy foul. To secure their victory, Gor Mahia had to wait until the 80th minute when Alpha Onyango drilled home their second goal after being set up by Bendeka.

“It was not an easy game, we had to dig deep to get the win, we knew what kind of football to expect from Sharks, they play direct kind of football and are very good at defending, so we had to be patient to break them down,” Gor Mahia coach Sinisa Mihic told Pan-Africa Football after the game.

“We needed to be patient, we needed to build play from our own half and make sure we didn’t give them enough room to move the ball. It really worked for us. We have taken another step towards winning the trophy, we must stay focused, and shift our focus immediately to league matches.”

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Muranga’s Seal ended Ulinzi Stars’ fairytale run in the competition following a 3-2 victory at the SportPesa Arena, while Nairobi United produced a stunning display to eliminate Premier League outfit Kakamega Homeboyz after a 2-0 win.