A sixth minute Moses Otieno superbly taken free-kick to the far right corner put Gor Mahia on the lead. But suffered a cancellation after Western Stima’s Ali Bai rose in the six-yard box to slice in a header past Ivoo Mapunda in the 29th minute.
Gor Mahia fielded a reserve filled squad capatained by Kevin Ochieng. The midfielder set up Kevin Omondi but the striker lacked the composure to bury the ball away, shooting high from inside the box. The visitors then gathered up to control more of the midfield battle benefiting from the rather lowly presence of Nicholas Auma.
The visitors saw a penalty appeal brushed away after the ball seemed to have hit Musa Mohammed’s hand off an edge of the box shot. With the game tied up and the first half destined for ending Jackson Saleh poorly headed bounced down a free header just outside the six yard box barely threatening keeper Ivoo Mapunda.
On the other end what seemed like k’ogallo’s last play of the half saw Kevin Omondi rocket a shot from the edge of the box clear the cross bar. The set up came from Lavatsa Edwin.
The second half saw Coach Logarusic introduce Ivan Anguyo and a quick double to bring in Danny Sserenkuma and Moses Odhiambo. There followed a winning intent from the Gor to steer a counter substitution from Stima Coach Omino. The tactician introduced in quick succession Mark Sirengo and Job Omuse.
The match fell to an almost balance battle with much play contained in the centre field. The keepers seemed to watch the action before Edwin Lavatsa scrambled some space to grace Mandela’s cross bar after a botched clearance by Stima in the six yard.
Priceless long range efforts from the visitors would give way to time wasting antics as the end drew nearer and nearer. Whether as a confidence move or a gamble they seemed to be contented with a penalty shoot out.
The show would see Anguyo, Odhiambo, Omondi, Mosoti and Sserenkuma fire home from the spot as keeper Ivo Mapunda saved one from the visitors, to sail Gor Mahia through into the president’s cup quarter-finals.
