Football fans were on Tuesday treated to a fascinating match at Afraha stadium in Nakuru between Gor Mahia and their arch rivals AFC Leopards.
After playing for 90 minutes and with no extra time the game ended on a barren draw and the center referee called for a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.
It was AFC Leopards Vincent Oburu’s penalty kick that went over the cross bar sky-high handing Gor the win in the thrilling contest.
The first five penalties ended on a 4-4 draw after Gor’s substitute keeper Shabaan Odhoji had saved Whyvonne Isuza kick while Jack Tuyisenge saw his penalty go high over.Meddie Kagere, Geoffrey Walusimbi, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch and Bernard Ondiek scored for Gor while AFC’s Ezekiel Odera, Baker Lukooya, Duncan Otieno and Robinson Kamura converted theirs.
The stadium was packed where AFC Leopards patron Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Gor Mahia’s patron Raila Odinga accompanied by Makadara lawmaker George Aladwa, football legend Joe Kadenge and SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri attended the game arriving in style after their choppers landed on the pitch at half-time.
It was loss to Leopards newly appointed coach Rodolfo Zapata making his debut for the Mashemeji Derby, in a day that he was also celebrating his birthday.The win will see Gor Mahia play English side Hull City on May 13, 2018 at Kasarani, Nairobi.
