Muhoroni Youth stunned favourites Gor Mahia 1-0 to win the Top 8 Cup in a trouble-ridden final at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Kennedy Rono scored the winner for the rank outsiders who edged out the defending champions to claim the first trophy in the club’s history as well as a Ksh1 million cash prize.
The game was, however, marred by crowd trouble as Gor fans initially disrupted proceedings eight minutes from time, protesting a substitution by coach Ze Maria who brought on Jacob Keli while the Green Army preferred Enock Agwanda.
Calm was restored after 15 minutes but a confrontation between Gor Mahia trainer Sandro Fantoni and KPL official GMT Otieno right at the end of the game saw chaos erupt as angry Gor fans stormed the pitch throwing projectiles which prompted law enforcement officers to disperse the fans using teargas.
It was an ugly end to an entertaining game which had seen Gor do most of the attacking while Muhoroni defended well.
Gor enjoyed large chunks of possession and created the better chances, but were let down by poor finishing.
Meddie Kagere missed a glorious chance early on, heading over from Jacques Tuyisenge’s cross.
Minutes later, Muhoroni had their first attempt at goal when Jerim Onyango had to dive full stretch to parry Samuel Ndungu’s stinging effort before getting up quickly to collect the follow up cross from the Muhoroni attacker.
George Odhiambo then missed a gilt-edged opportunity after being put through on goal by a superb Francis Kahata pass with Muhoroni keeper Farouk Shikhalo making a fine save.
Tuyisenge could not believe his eyes in the 49th minute when his rasping shot hit the post after leaving Farouk Shikhalo in Muhoroni goal well beaten. He later headed wide despite being unmarked in the six-yard box.
Then came Muhoroni’s moment on 63 minutes when Harun Shakava’s clearance rebounded off a teammate and fell kindly to Rono who rounded Onyango before slotting the ball into an empty net to silence the crowd.
Gor threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but could not find a breakthrough with Muhoroni keeper Shikhalo in fine form.
Speaking after the match, Muhoroni coach Tom Juma lauded his players for following instructions to the letter.
“It was a tough match. I pay tribute to my players for absorbing the pressure. They did what I was expecting. We deserved to win the match because we were playing against 12 men in the pitch. Indeed, it was a good outing and we thank God for the victory that has proved our critics wrong. We came here as underdogs but we have proved in football there is no big or small team,” observed Juma.
