A Bandari FC fan celebrating.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 29- David King’atua scored an 88th minute winner as GOtv Shield defending champions Bandari progressed to the last 16 with a 2-1 win over Nakumatt FC in a repeat of last year’s final.
In the early kick-off, National Super League side Kariobangi Sharks edged out Kisumu’s Palos FC 5-4 on post match penalties after the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Nakumatt had rallied from a goal down with Christopher Wekesa cancelling out Sunday Apudo’s opener after heading home in the 79th minute.
However, the visitors managed to keep the pressure till the final bend when King’atua tapped home Danny Sserunkuma’s cross from the right.
The hosts had a 10th minute chance to open the scores from the penalty spot but skipper Peter Nzuki wasted the glorious opportunity as Bandari’s second choice custodian Joseph Okoth leapt to his right to parry away the effort.
The second tier league leaders had started the match on a high and forced Bandari to errors, Felly Mulumba hitting the ball against his arms as he attempted to make a clearance inside the box.
Mohammed Farrid missed a chance three yards out after Nakumatt keeper Zamu Adisa spilled Youngster Sijenge Kibiru’s shot from the right.
Both sides had given a punch from the start and it was Nakumatt who had another brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock in the 16th minute but Bernard Meki missed a sitter with John Njoroge’s low cross from the left rolling agonizingly across the face of goal.
Bandari struggled in their forward play with Farid being wasteful to see coach Ken Kenyatta hauled him off with 10 minutes to the break for goal scorer Apudo.
Nakumatt came close again in the 37th minute, this time Jack Opere’s header from a Nzuki freekick missing the target by inches.
Bandari Dan Otewa (right) with David Kingatua (left).PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
Bandari came back stronger in the second half, playing more organized and perfecting their passing.
Ten minutes after the restart, Bandari got the lead, Apudo catching keeper Adisa off guard with a looping shot from the right.
The substitute should have doubled the lead in the 65th minute but he failed to beat Adisa one-on-one after a beautiful interchange of passes with Sserunkuma.
Nakumatt coach Giovanni Troiani responded by bringing on Kevin Omodni and Cornelius Juma for Timonah Wanyonyi and Meki in an effort to add more strength to their attack and get the equalizer.
They finally did 10 minutes from time with former Gor Mahia left-back Wekesa rising highest to head in a corner from Nzuki.
However, the hope of forcing the game to penalties was thwarted with two minutes of normal time left to play, as a slight lapse in concentration saw Sserunkuma break on the left before releasing King’atua who had the easiest of tasks tapping into an empty net.
There was late drama however with virtually the last kick of the game as Andrew Waisswa chested off the line a Cornelius Juma header from Nzuki ‘s corner.
Referee Raymond Omondi awarded a foul to Bandari for pushing inside the box while Nakumatt cried out for a penalty.
