By Fred Maingi
Gor Mahia proved their critics wrong with a 2-1
triumph over their bitter rivals Afc Leopards in one of the semi finals of the
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) tie staged at the 60,000 seater Moi
International Stadium.
The winner of the tournament will represent the
country in the CAF Africa Confederation Cup.
Gor suffered an early blow barely after
nine minutes after their Ugandan lethal striker Dan Sserunkuma was seriously
injured.He was wheeled off to the touchline but could not make a comeback. He
was replaced by Edwin Lavatsa who gave a good account of himself in the pitch.
Gor took the lead after 12minutes through Kevin
Omondi who beat his marker Edwin Wafula to place the ball far beyond Leopards
keeper Patrick Matasi.
Encouraged, Gor came in the picture but
could not translate their chances.However, AFC Leopards were more rampant
midway in the first half where they gave Gor hectic moments.
Gor Keeper Ivo Mapunda was a busy man as he was
kept on his toes by Leopards strikers Mike Barasa, Allan Wanga, Paul Were and
Jimmy Bagaye.
Gor extended their lead on 52nd
minute through Moses Odhiambo whose rasping shot found Matasi in Leopards goal
bemused.Leopards defenders felt Odhiambo was offside only to find out
referee David Omweno had different ideas.
Charles Okwemba pulled one back for
Leopards in the 81st minute.Surprisingly, the match did not attract
the good attendance associated with the derby owing to security scare.
Last weekend, Gor Mahia fans were engaged
in violence and criminal acts after they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting
Thika United thereby spoiling their ambition of clinching the Kenya premier
League title.
Gor Mahia will now face the winner between
defending Champions League champions Tusker and Sofapaka FC.Both teams will
face off in the other semi final tie at the same venue on Sunday.
Meanwhile Hassan Wasswa will be Uganda’s skipper in
this year’s CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Wasswa was appointed after Godfrey Walusimbi rejected
the opportunity to captain the team in the tournament that is set to kick off
on Saturday 24 November in Kampala.
Walusimbi told me he wasn’t ready. I think he is ready
but I can never force a player to take up responsibility if he thinks or feels
otherwise, Uganda Cranes coach told Press.
Wasswa is a currently club-less after he was released
by Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor. He has previously played for Kampala City
FC, Ethiopian giants St. Georges, F.C Cape Town, Turkish sides Kardemir
Karabukspor and Altay S.K.
He has been capped 12 times by the Ugandan National
team.
Uganda has been pooled alongside rivals Kenya, Ethiopia and newcomers
South Sudan in Group A.
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