KCB to face Police in cup final

Kenya Police will play in their maiden final of the Mozzart Bet Cup against KCB after they disarmed fellow Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit AFC Leopards 1-0 in their replayed semi-final fixture at Police Sacco Stadium on Monday.

The fixture had to be replayed after it was abandoned on Sunday with the law enforcers leading Ingwe 1-0. The game was aborted in the 60th minute due to an injury sustained by second assistant referee, Samuel Kuria

Kuria was struck by an object, rendering him unable to effectively officiate and in need of urgent medical attention. To ensure the safety of players, officials, fans, and staff, the match officials decided to walk off the field.

A statement from FKF added: “Additionally, after calm was restored and by the time the match officials were ready to proceed with the match, the venue’s lack of floodlights posed significant safety concerns for all players, technical staff, supporters, and other stakeholders, preventing the match from resuming. As time passed, it became increasingly clear that resuming the match would compromise the well-being of those involved.”

The game was replayed under Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the FKF domestic Cup regulations, the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee which stipulates the match shall resume from the 60th minute maintaining the score at the time of interruption and be played behind closed doors. By the time the incident happened, former Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello had put Police ahead, after nodding home a cross past goalkeeper Levis Opiyo in the seventh minute.

It was Okello’s fourth goal of the tournament and can finish as the top scorer if he scores more than two in the final against the Bankers. AFC Leopards striker Arthur Gitego has five goals to his name.

Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks coach William Muluya took the blame after his side were knocked out by KCB through penalties. Sharks and the Bankers had played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with back-to-back goals from KCB’s Derrick Otanga in the 77th minute and Sharks’ Fortune Omotto in the 79th minute.

The deadlock extended into extra time, and with both teams unable to find the back of the net, the game headed to penalties, in which, KCB emerged victorious, winning 4-2 and booking their slot in the finals. Speaking after the game, Muluya admitted to have made a costly blunder by making late substitutions with eyes on the penalties, which his side could not prevail.

“I must take the blame for the defeat, my decision to make substitutions in the closing stages did not work, of course, it is not a bad idea to make subs but as a coach, I should have prepared my players beyond penalties, I got it wrong tactically, especially in the second half,” Muluya told People Sports.

“I did not expect KCB to counter me tactically (after the changes) but sometimes it is football, and it is my blame, I should have done better, don’t blame anyone, don’t blame Kariobangi Sharks, it is my blame as the coach.”

Meanwhile, his KCB counterpart Bernard Mwalala was left on cloud nine after sailing into their first-ever domestic final and further insisted on their readiness to take on any team in the final.

“It is a good feeling for the team, especially after losing the title race, so we put our focus and strength of the cup and you can see today we did everything and we are one game away from being winners,” said Mwalala.

“We defended well and used our counter-attacks to perfection, our game plan worked and now we are ready to play anyone in the final, we don’t care who we play, we have worked for these and are ready to play and represent the country.”