Sofapaka beat Gor Mahia to clinch Charity Cup in Nairobi
Copyright : StarAfrica
It was song and dance for Sofapaka who welcomed the 2013 domestic season with a glittering trophy after beating Gor Mahia 6-5 on penalties to clinch the inaugural trophy at the Moi International Sports centre Kasarani.
Both teams drew 1-1 in the normal regulation
time before plunging to the dreaded penalty shoot outs.
The match was graced by sponsors-Kenya power & Lightning company
Managing Director Eng.Joseph Njoroge, and Football Kenya
Federation(FKF) Chairman Sam Nyamweya among other sports dignitaries
The match ended in a 1-1 tie in regular time forcing the referee
Davies Omweno to call for post-match penalties to unlock the
deadlock.
The Kenyan Power and Lighting Company, Kenya Red Cross, Football Kenya
Federation [FKF] and the Kenyan Premier came together to run the
one-day tournament with the theme of fostering peace and as a warm-up
to the upcoming Tusker Kenyan Premier League that kicks off on
February 24.
The penalties were also tough to decide as both teams converted all
the first round penalties leading into the sudden death session.
But one man Paul Kiongera of Gor Mahia will live to remember the day
after squandering the deciding spot kick that handed Sofapaka the
glittering trophy and a whooping Kshs.850,000(Approx.US $10,000).
He was later voted the man of the match following his brilliant
display in the match.As a result, he was presented with a portable
walka gadget that will enable him watch live football matches.
Kennedy Oduor netted the first goal for Sofapaka but fKiongera’s
penalty was saved by Duncan Ochieng’
Gor Mahia had one hand on the first Charity Cup trophy into the
halftime mark after taking the lead through the on loan KCB player
Paul Kiongera.
The lone goal was netted in the 32nd minute from a free kick that
stunned the entire Sofapaka defense .
Sofapaka’s efforts paid off in the 73rd minute through Elly Asieche
who slammed the ball home after receiving a nice pass from Enock
Agwanda .
Sofapaka then defended well for the remainder of the match to ensure
that the match headed for the post-match penalties, one that they won.
Sofapaka now takes home $10,000 in prize amount going to the winning
team. Gor Mahia will take home $6,000 with both Mathare United and
Western Stima taking home $2,000 each.
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