Gor Mahia defend SportPesa Super Cup

Champions Gor Mahia successfully retained the SportPesa Super Cup after a convincing 2-0 win over Tanzania's Simba SC in the final at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Sunday.

Goals on either side of halftime from the Rwandese duo of Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge saw K'Ogalo put their opponents to the sword in a packed final.

Gor, who are also the league champions, will now travel to England to face top-flight side Everton at their Goodison Park home next month.

Gor also walked away with Sh3 million for their exploits, while runners up Simba went home with Sh 1million.

Gor coach Dylan Kerry could not hide his joy of beating Simba. It was a sweet revenge for the Englishman after he was bundled out of the club in a huff.

“I have now proved that I am the best coach in the region and Simba should now respect my coaching tactics as I am heading to Goodison Park in England, while they will be at home in Dar es Salaam," said a delighted Kerr, who was dismissed from Simba after only six months at the helm.

Simba assistant coach Masoud Juma conceded defeat and congratulated Gor for the victory saying his charges were overwhelmed by their opponents' vast experience.

"I fielded a relatively new and young side. I will now develop the side into a formidable team and I am sure we shall soon roar to the top of the regional football apex and revenge against Gor in the Kagame Cup next month,” said Masoud.

Earlier, Tanzania's Singida United secured third place after edging out Kakamega Homeboyz 4-1 on post-match penalties during their third-place playoff match.

The sides were tied at 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes and took penalties to decide the winner.

Singida pocketed Sh750,000, while Kakamega Homeboyz received Sh500,000.

Eight sides took part in the second edition of the competition which began on June 3.

Playing before a massive home fans in a dilapidated Afraha Stadium pitch, the enterprising Green Army hunted Simba from the moment Ethiopia referee Belay Tadese signalled the start of the epic final duel at exactly 3pm.

And hardly five minutes into the game, Francis Kahata initiated a brilliant move on the right flank and superbly passed the ball to the sprinting Tuyisenge along the touchline, who in turn squared to Kagere inside the box, who made a brilliant turn and fired a powerful shot past Simba goalkeeper Manula Aishi for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Aishi first handled the ball before it slipped from his hands and rolled into the net sending the thousands of Gor fans into rapturous celebrations.

The limping Simba's first attempt on goal came in the 26th minute when Rashid Juma's volley was cleverly blocked by Shaban Odhonji.

In the 31st minute, Gor's George “Blackberry" Odhiambo threaded his way through the Simba defence, but his rising shot rested on top of the net.

In the 35th minute, Erustus Nyoni of Simba earned a yellow card for hitting Tuyisenge on the head while vying for an aerial ball.

In the ensuing confusion, Gor captain Harun Shakava was booked by the Ethiopian referee for disent.

Three minutes later, Blackberry's 24 meter free kick from outside the box rebounded on the chest of goalkeeper Manula before it was cleared as a charging Kagere missed an opportunity to sweep the ball into the net.

Tadese was forced to give Tuyisenge a yellow card for dissent after he momentarily lost his temper.

Three minutes before the breather, Kahata playing before his home town fans nearly doubled the scores when he failed to convert a beautiful pass from Godfrey Walusimbi inside the box with a powerful grass cutter.

On resumption, Gor's attacking machine led by Kahata, Tuyisenge and Kagere continued to trouble the Simba defence with constant attacks.

And their spirited efforts were rewarded 10 minutes into second half, when Humphrey Mieno sent a delicious cross with Tuyisenge completed with a simple tap in to score his first goal of the tournament.

Moments later, Kahata rolled with the ball on the right flank but his cross was not converted into a goal.

Five minutes before the final whistle, Gor continued with their tale of missed chances and this time it was the turn of Tuyisenge to blast over with the goal at his mercy.