Sony Sugar FC and Gor Mahia FC will square it out in the 2015 Kenyan Premier League Top 8 Knockout Tournament final slated for Kisumu’s Moi Stadium on Saturday, November 7.
Sony beat Sofapaka 3-1 on Wednesday 4 to reach maiden final of the tournament on a 5-3 aggregate win, while KPL champions Gor Mahia bundled out ten man Tusker FC on the same date beating them 2-1 to reach their second final on 4-3 aggregate score.
Both matches were played under floodlights at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The Millers from Awendo proved too good for “Batoto Ba Mungu” punishing them hard on the counter, a technique they employed to near perfection on the evening.
Justin Monda opened scoring for the coach Salim Babu charges in the 28th minute – looping over advancing Sofapaka keeper David Okello with the defense well out of position.
Andrew Sekayombya made it 2-0 eleven minutes later with a free header off Robert Omonuk’s cross from the left.
Defender Felly Mulumba reduced the deficit minutes to the breather from the spot after fellow stopper Hamidi Kwizera handled in the box.
Sony didn’t slow down in the second half as they time and again exposed Sofapaka’s rear guard with deadly counters. Omonuk who was a constant headache to the David Ouma men should have killed the match in the 77th minute but his final shot after leaving Sofapaka defense on the dead hit the woodwork.
Collins Shivachi turned the ball into his own net off Asembeka cross from the left in the 86th minute to hit the final nail on their coffin, as Sony held on the 3-1 win.
In the other match, two goals from red hot Michael Olunga were enough to ensure defending champions Tusker FC finishes a disappointing 2015 season trophy less.
Kevin Kimani tapped into an open net to give the Brewers a deserved lead in the 10th minute.
The Ruaraka based side were however guilty of not fully taking control of the game as they resorted to physical play to contain K’Ogalo who had engaged a higher gear in search of an equalizer.
The turning point in the game came in the 39th minute when Clifford Alwanga was sent off for second bookable offense – the proceedings thereafter were in favor of the 15-time league champions despite the tie heading into the breather with Tusker enjoying the slim lead.
Coach Frank Nuttall made an early sub in the second half bringing on Godfrey Walusimbi for off color George Odhiambo, and it paid off almost instantly as Gor looked much stronger in attack.
Olunga controlled Walusimbi pass in the box before making a U-turn to strike home the leveler from his favored left foot in the 55th minute. He was at it again in 77th minute, punishing a poor back pass to put Gor in the lead for the first time.
Attempts by Tusker to equalize and send the match into penalty shootouts failed as K’Ogalo defended their lead jelously.
Gor beat Ulinzi Stars 2-0 in 2012 to win their first Top8 title, and a win over Sony on Saturday will give them their second crown same as Tusker.
@bonfaceosano
