Benson Omalla announced his return to Gor Mahia in emphatic fashion as he scored in his first match since re-signing back in February to help the Kenyan giants book their quarterfinal ticket in the 24/25 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup following a 0-2 win over Bandari.
In the Round of 16 match staged at the Mbaraki Grounds in Mombasa on Saturday afternoon, Omalla scored in the 90+1st minute to prevent the game from going into post-match penalties before Alpha Onyango added the second goal to seal the important victory to the next round.
Gor Mahia book last 8 ticket
The tie looked very much headed into penalties before Omalla showed his killer instinct, finishing a loose ball in the area for his first goal since winning the Golden Boot in the 23/24 campaign where he finished with 19 goals.
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Shortly after the late goal, Onyango also proved to be a super substitute as he doubled Gor Mahia’s lead with a sweet finish that got the job done for the record Kenyan league champions who are on course for the double as they sit just three points behind leaders Kenya Police in the league standings despite playing a game less.
Elsewhere, Nairobi United stunned Kenya Premier League heavyweights KCB, eliminating them from the cup in a thrilling round of 16 clash decided by a penalty shootout at the Dandora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite entering the tie as underdogs, United defied the odds, edging out the Bankers, who will be left to rue their squandered opportunities in both halves of the game.
The tightly contested encounter ended in a stalemate, forcing the match into penalties.
Nairobi United converted six out of their seven attempts, while Patrick Odhiambo’s side managed to slot in five, with two of their efforts missing the target.
The result propels Nairobi United into the FKF Cup quarterfinals, having already toppled another top-tier giant, Tusker FC, in the round of 32.
In an earlier match played at the Mbaraki Grounds, Kariobangi Sharks came from behind to beat Denmak 1-3 as they became the first side to progress to the last 8.