Omondi’s late striker saves day for Gor as KPL giants advance to FKF Cup
By Charles Thuku, February 17, 2020Gor Mahia yesterday received a big scare from gritty Nairobi Provincial League side Naivas before dumping them 3-2 to reach the last 16 round of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Betway Cup.
With the match in Kasarani seemingly headed into penalties after a 2-2 deadlock, Gor winger Boniface Omondi broke the hearts of the supermarket side when he smashed the ball home from a goalmouth melee to settle it as a contest.
Earlier at the same venue, Kariobangi Sharks were equally forced to struggle before romping into the same stage after outclassing Nairobi Regional League (Eastern side) Kenpoly 2-0.
Yesterday, Gor found Naivas quite a difficult preposition and it was least surprising when the nondescripts shocked the Kenyan Premier League champions when they raced into the lead in the 11th minute through a penalty conversion by Kingsley Owuor.
Naivas, who time and again caught Gor on the counter, had their striker Newton Mugo finding an opening but was brought down inside the box which yielded a spot kick that was nearly saved by goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo.
But Gor’s experience caame to the fore as the game wore on with Omondi and Juma Balinya coming close in quick succession as Naivas’ defence of Charles Omeyo, Anthony Oduor and Wycliff Otieno started to feel the heat of a flurry of attacks.
Naivas goalkeeper Rajab Chai had done well to stop Juma Balinya and Lawrence Juma but he could not deny Dickson Ambnudo who pulled the equaliser for Gor through Dickson Ambundo’s bullet shot in the 42nd minute.
And just when the Green Army fans had yet to finish celebrating, Nivas regained the lead two minutes later, Rashid Hassan leaving Gor defenders ball-watching and picked his spot to let fly a pile driver into the roof of the net.
Despite the defeat, Naivas coach George Maina gave plaudits to his players for demonstrating a great character against one of the biggest clubs in the country.
“I’m satisfied with the performance of the team against one of the strongest sides in Africa but I must point out that the third goal we conceded was as a result of a lapse which we ought to have avoided.
We were expecting a penalty shoot-out but this is football and we accept the result. Hopefully we live to battle another day,” said Maina.
Meanwhile, Sharks drew the first blood through enterprising new signing Patrick Ngunyi before Derrick Onyango added another goal to seal the fate of Kempoly.
Sharks ought to have won the match with a wider margin had Peter Lwasa and Onyango not wasted several chances towards the end of the match.