AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia each booked a place in the Quarterfinals of the FKF SportPesa Shield following wins over Mwatate United and Posta Rangers respectively on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the MISC Kasarani.
Ingwe laboured to a 2-1 win over Division One side Mwatate United in the first match of the midweek doubleheader.
The Leopards received a scare when John Musyoka put Mwatate in the front foot in the sixth minute following a swift counter-attack. At the start of the second half, however, Ingwe’s June acquisition Eugene Mukangula, who had just come on in place of Clyde Senaji, restored parity.
Mwatate United defended resolutely, occasionally hitting their top-tier opponents on the counter, but would finally crumble when Ezekiel Odera struck from close range in stoppage time to see Ingwe through to the quarters.
Leopards will consequently face off with Kenya Police, who went past non-league side Leysa on Saturday, July 21, 2018, in Narok.
In the second match that kicked off at 4.15 pm, Gor Mahia eased into the quarter-finals of this year’s SportPesa Shield Cup tournament after securing a resounding 3-1 win over Posta Rangers in a last 16 match played at the MISC Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday 25 July.
A brace from Kevin Omondi and a lone strike from Samuel Onyango on either side of Paul Odhiambo’s consolation saw Dylan Kerr’s charges secure a last eight clash against last season’s finalists Kariobangi Sharks.
With one eye on the CAF Confederations Cup return-leg tie against Tanzanian outfit Young Africans (Yanga) coming up on Sunday 29, Dylan Kerr preserved his big guns fielding a second string side comprising of a completely different starting line from the last league game against AFC Leopards while Sammy Pamzo Omollo named his strongest side available.
It only took 10 minutes for the tie to burst into life with Cavin Odongo supplying Simon Mbugua with a low driven cross that found him completely unmarked in the penalty area but with the goal gapping, the fullback would only strike his effort against the crossbar as well as be missing with the rebound as Cercedy Okeyo reacted quickly to clear the ball off the line.
Gor grew into the match as the half wore on carving chance after chance but their finishing in the final third let them down until the 34th minute when Joackins Atudo was caught in possession by Kevin Omondi who slotted the ball nonchalantly past the onrushing Boniface Baraza to break the deadlock.
There would be no more goals after as the half ended with Gor on the ascendancy.
Gor came back into the second half a much-rejuvenated side dominating possession as they sought to extend their lead. And it only took seven minutes after the restart for the reigning KPL champions to do so through Omondi who took second pickings from Lawrence Juma’s shot that was parried away on to his patch.
The left-footed forward in fine form after receiving a rare start almost scored a third goal but his effort from a Juma cross was cleared off the line by Mbugua on the hour mark.
Gershon Likonoh had a glaring chance to pull one back go begging after he was unable to put his header down from a Collins Omondi cross.
Posta were however not to be denied in the 65th minute when former Tusker talisman Paul Odhiambo lobbed the ball over Shaban Odhoji to half the deficit.
Signs of a late comeback were however extinguished immediately as former Ulinzi Stars forward Samuel Onyango got on the end of a Bernard Ondieki lay-up to restore K’Ogalo’s two goal cushion in the 70th minute and that is how it remained with Gor securing their second win of the season against Rangers after the 5-0 thrashing in the league four weeks ago.
Squads;
Gor Mahia Starting XI: Shaban Odhoji, Wellington Ochieng, Wesley Onguso (Boniface Omondi), Joachim Oluoch, Charles Momanyi, Cercidy Okeyo, Bernard Ondiek, Lawrence Juma, Kevin Omondi (Ephrem Guikan), Samuel Onyango, Asudi Raphael (Wafula Innocent),
Unused subs: Fredrick Odhiambo, Eliud Lokuwom.
Posta Rangers Starting XI: Boniface Baraza, Simon Mbugua, Suleiman Ngotho, Jockins Atudo, Jerry Santo, Joseph Mburu, Cavin Odongo (Paul Odhiambo), Titus Achesa, Dennis Mukaisi ( Jeremiah Wanjala), Collins Omondi, Peter Ng’ang’a,
Unused subs: Grandus Ochieng, Kennedy Onyango, Gershon Likonoh, Tera Luis, Samwel Mwanje.
Also through to the quarters is Kariobangi Sharks, Riverplate FC, Kenya Police, Ulinzi Stars, Tusker and Sofapaka, who edged past Modern Coast, Friendzone FC, Leysa FC, Vihiga United, Bungoma Super Stars and Western Stima respectively over the weekend.
Saturday Results
Modern Coast Rangers 1-3 Kariobangi Sharks (Mbaraki Sports Club)
Friend Zone 0-2 Riverplate (Narok Stadium)
Kenya Police 0(4)-0(3) Leysa (Narok Stadium)
Sunday Results
Vihiga United 1-2 Ulinzi Stars (Mumias Complex)
Tusker 1-0 Bungoma Superstars (Narok Stadium)
Sofapaka 4-1 Western Stima (Narok Stadium)
Wednesday Results
AFC Leopards 2-1 Mwatate United (Kasarani Stadium)
Posta Rangers 1-3 Gor Mahia (Kasarani Stadium)