Ulinzi Stars, KCB storm GOTV Shield semis on penalties

SportPesa Premier League title contenders Ulinzi Stars and second tier side KCB on Saturday advanced to the semi-finals of the GOtv Shield after eliminating Nzoia United and Western Stima respectively at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

Ulinzi brought to an end Nzoia’s fairy run in the tournament but needed a 4-2 post-match penalties win to advance after the teams had drawn 1-1 in regulation time.

Daniel Waweru, Mark Bikokwa, Enos Ochieng’ and Geoffrey Kokoyo were spot on for Ulinzi while Brian Otieno and Vincent Ngesa were on target for Nzoia.

MUCH FANCIED

But it was much-fancied Western Stima who suffered the shock of the season after they were beaten 4-3 in similar fashion by former top league boys KCB in an earlier match. The teams had tied 0-0 in open play.

In the second fixture, Lawrence Juma drew first blood for Nzoia in the 30th minute before red-hot John Makwatta restored parity six minutes later.
The soldiers could have grabbed the lead two minutes later but Brian Birgen’s shot hit the bar to bounce back in the field of play.

Nzoia’s top scorer Masita Masuta was then booked for a lunge on Ulinzi skipper and custodian James Saruni in the 40th minute as the milers held their nerve to go into the break on level terms.

On resumption, a determined Nzoia pushed harder and could have taken the lead once more on the hour mark had Brian Yakhama and Juma used well their chances.

First, Yakhama shot directly at Saruni when he had an opportunity to set up Masuta and Luke Namanda after the trio broke in a counter attack. Seconds later, Juma headed wide with the goal mouth at his mercy.

Appeals for penalty by Ulinzi’s Enosh Ochieng were thwarted by centre referee Hajji Adede minutes later.

With four minutes left, former Nzoia man Mark Bikokwa came on for Samuel Onyango but he could do little to change the scoreline in 90 minutes.

MPONGO THE HERO

In the earlier encounter, KCB goalie Juma Mpongo displayed a man of the match performance during and after the clash and most notably saving a last spot kick from his opposite number Gabriel Andika to inch closer to continental football.

Dennis Ng’ang’a, Franco Balabala, Eric Okoth and Mpongo scored their spot kicks for the bankers while Kennedy Otieno, Wesley Onguso and Benard Ondiek were on target for Stima.

John Odhiambo and Job Endriseh missed their penalties for KCB while Fredrick Shimonyo, Estone Esiye and custodian Andika failed for the home team.

“Our target is to represent the country in the Caf confederation Cup,” said KCB coach Leonard Saleh.

“We were scrappy upfront and that came to haunt us. Our focus now shifts to the league,” Stima’s Omino said after the match.

At the Nyayo National Stadium, Posta Rangers conjured up a 5-4 win over Ushuru also on post-match penalties to advance to the competition’s round of 16 where they will face Agro Chemical on Wednesday. The winner will play Tusker in the quarters.

The match had ended with a goalless draw, and had to be decided by the shootout.

Joseph Mbugi missed his spot-kick for the postmen but Timothy Otieno, Titus Achesa, Charles Odette, Duncan Otieno and Patrick Matasi were all on target.

Nelson Marasowe, Maurice Odipo, Evans Kiwanuka and Roy Okal were also successful with their spot kicks for Ushuru, but Sanneh Ebrima, Rodgers Ocheing and Kennedy Odour missed.