Gor Mahia needed post-match penalties to edge out Ulinzi Stars 4-2 and make it to the last four of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) top eight tournament in a match played under a heavy downpour on Wednesday night at Nyayo Stadium.
The match ended in a barren draw after full time sending it to post-match penalties where once again Tanzanian goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda proved savior for Gor by saving one penalty.
Gor scored their penalties through Dan Sserunkuma, Rama Salim, Donald Mosoti and Kevin Omondi while Moses Odhiambo’s kick was stopped by Jacktone Odhiambo in the Ulinzi goal.
Scoring for the losers were James Mulinge and Eric Apul while Elvis Nandwa and Stephen Ochollah missed.
Having beaten Gor Mahia 2-0 two weeks ago in a KPL match, Ulinzi were determined to repeat the favor right from the word go and put the Gor defense under a lot of pressure and here Elvis Nandwa and Eric Apul were responsible. Gor Mahia coach Zradvko Logarusic opted to field not his strongest side in anticipation of Saturday’s league match against leaders KCB but even those who got an opportunity to play gave their best.
As the first half drew to a close, the Gor striking force of Sserunkuma and Rama Salim settled quickly and gave their opponents a hard time.
Gor will now play Thika United in the semi-finals after the former edged out Sofapaka also on post-match penalties.
Elsewhere, Harambee Stars assistant coach James Nandwa has said the absence of Dennis Oliech and Arnold Origi will be a big blow for the team when they play Nigeria in the June 5 World Cup qualifier in Nairobi.
Nandwa said they will miss the experience of the two players, leaving them with an uphill task of motivating the others to rise up to the occasion of tackling the Super Eagles.
“When you are playing a team like Nigeria, one needs all the experience they can have for such a match. The two provide just that and in their absence that will be lacking,” he told FeverPitch.
Nandwa said they have to quickly identify replacements for the two and build their confidence before Nigeria comes calling.
The absence of the two players will give coach Adel Amrouche headache, considering their influence in the team.
Origi has been the country’s top goalkeeper in the last five years while the country is yet to find a good striker to take the place of Oliech.
In the absence of Origi, coach Amrouche is likely to prefer either Sofapaka custodian Duncun Ochieng’ or Tusker goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch. Indeed when Origi missed Kenya’s first World Cup qualifying match against Malawi last year, it was Oluoch who was called upon to start in goal.
However, of late the veteran Duncun Ochieng’ has appeared to be the team’s favourite as he has been Origi’s assistant in goal.
Oliech’s absence is likely to be covered up by AFC Leopards striker Allan Wanga.
Wanga scored against the Super Eagles when the two teams last played in Nairobi one year ago in a match the West African side won 3-2.
Source : StandardDigitalNews
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