Governor Sakaja’s Nairobi United have thrashed FKF 21-time champions Gor Mahia 2-1 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in the Final of the Mozzart Cup Final.
A focused Nairobi United
The highly anticipated match was attended by high profile names in Kenyan football history like Dennis Oliech, former Mathare United and Harambee stars player Salim Ali and FKF President Hussein Mohammed and Nairobi Governo Johnson Sakaja.
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Nairobi United opened the scoring in the 6th minute through Frank Ouya’s scissors kick in the Gor Mahia penalty box. Gor’s defence failed to spot the Nairobi United player after a sluggish start to the Mozzart Cup Final.
The ball came into the box from a long throw-in by Nairobi United’s Kamala to start the move which was followed up by a poor header by Gor Mahia’s defenders and a fast-paced Ouya pounced on the 50-50 ball with a mid-air scissors kick volley.
The following minutes were marked with several unforced defensive errors by Gor’s defence which was countered by man-to-man marking by Nairobi United making sure every mistake by Gor was punished by relentless counter attacks.
Nairobi United failed to make use of their early chances in the first half, with shot-stopper Kevin Omondi on top of his game, leaving the score intact at 1-0.
However, Gor managed to equalize in the 37th minute thanks to a stunning strike from outside the box by Gor’s jersey number 38 Ben Stanley Omondi which went to the bottom corner, reviving hopes of saving a “disappointing” season by Gor.
Hope for Gor Mahia
The goal clearly motivated Gor FC players and fans, and after the half time whistle Gor Mahia fans remained in their seats to continue praising chants and songs to K’ogalo players.
Naibois remained persistent despite the continuous attacking threats by Gor, contesting for all duels and aerial balls.
The failure by Gor Mahia to use their hard-fought for chances in the second half was punished in the 74th minute, when Nairobi United recovered the ball after poor and unprofessional passing by Gor’s midfield.
Duncan Omala passed the ball from the wing to find three Nairobi United Players unmarked in the heart of the Gor Mahia’s midfield before Enock Machaka sent a thunderous shot 30-yards from Kogalo’s goal-line to give Naibois the advantage.
Gor’s own failure
Gor’s only chance of saving the sinking ship came in the 85th minute when wonderkid Austin Odhiambo was fouled in the penalty box and the referee issued a penalty immediately.
Alpha Chris Onyango stepped-up to take the penalty for K’ogalo, after a heavy argument by Nairobi United’s goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed and his teammates who claimed no foul was committed on Austin.
In a shock turn of events, the keeper went the right way to save the penalty and preserve Nairobi United’s 2-1 lead in the final for the last 5 minutes of normal time.
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Gor Mahia were clearly desperate then, with players shooting from awkward angles from far deep in the pitch and with 4 minutes of added time, Naibois technically defended to stop Gor from finding a late equalizer, the match ending in their favour.
The win secured Nairobi United’s first-ever title and a historic double after clinching the National Super League (NSL) title.
This victory earned them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup, a feat not achieved by a second-tier Kenyan team since Mathare United in 1998.
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