FKF Cup: Gor Mahia overcome Bandari to qualify for round of 16

Benson Omalla - Photo Credit: Gor Mahia FC Media.

Gor Mahia scored two late goals to sink Bandari FC 2-0 in a Round of 16 fixture of the FKF Cup at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Saturday.

The reigning FKF Premier League champions welcomed the return of striker Benson Omalla, who was recently cleared by the world governing body FIFA, to play for the side following a transfer tussle with former Lebanese outfit Al Safa.

Omalla was thrown into the starting XI with goalkeeper Gad Mathew getting the armband while Philemon Otieno returned to marshal the defence. Gor Mahia should have taken the lead in the 13th minute when Philemon Onyango found the back of the net off a cross from Joshua Onyango, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The game headed into the half-time break tied at 0-0 but Gor Mahia, blamed themselves for not taking advantage of the numerical chances they created. At the start of the second half, Omalla, missed from close range, after his powerful right footed effort rattled the woodwork before bouncing out for a goal-kick.

After the missed chance, Gor Mahia were forced to make four changes, bringing on midfielder Austin Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, Lawrence Juma, and Samuel Kapen for Philemon Otieno, Ernest Wendo, Shariff Musa, and Rodgers Ouma. Bandari remained unchanged but they still could not trouble Gor Mahia. However, K’Ogalo were forced to wait until the 90th minute when Alpha Onyango scored to put them ahead.

And in the added final minutes, Omalla, returned with a goal, after he rounded Bandari goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo to score the second and seal Gor Mahia’s qualification to the last 16 of the domestic competition.

In another fixture played at the same venue, Kariobangi Sharks needed three second half goals to eliminate Denmak FC with a 3-1 win. After a 0-0 first half, Biko Omollo broke the deadlock for Sharks in the 53rd minute.

Ghai Panchol then scored the second goal in the 85th minute after finishing off a cross from Omollo, but the division one outfit scored to reduce the deficit two minutes later for a tense end to the game.

However, it was Sharks, who had the last laugh when Ally Salum scored in the four minutes of added time to send Sharks through to the last eight in the battle watched by Kenya national team Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy.

Round of 16 fixtures (Sunday);

Kenya Police FC vs Kapenguria United - Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos – 1:00 PM

Murang’a Seal FC vs Kibera Soccer FC - St. Sebastian Park, Murang’a – 3:00 PM

Kakamega Homeboyz FC vs Shabana FC - Moi Stadium, Kisumu – 3:00 PM

Bidco United vs Ulinzi Stars FC - Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos – 3:30 PM