Vihiga stun holders Tusker out of GOtv Shield - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

Vihiga stun holders Tusker out of GOtv Shield

Charles Okwemba celebrates with teammates after scoring one of the two Vihiga United goals in a GOtv Shield Quarter final clash against defending champions Tusker FC on August 20, 2017. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 20- Veteran Charles Okwemba struck a first half penalty and Dennis Lugalia scored late on as National Super League (NSL) leaders Vihiga United stunned defending champions Tusker FC 2-0 to book a slot in the semi-final of the GOtv Shield.

 

Tusker were shockingly lethargic in their approach and did not show any hunger of either winning the game or retaining the title they won for the first time in 23 years last year.

“I am really disappointed today because I can’t even understand why we played this badly. We had possession but possession without purpose. It is a sad moment for us because this is a cup we really wanted to retain,” a dejected Tusker head coach George Nsimbe said after the match.

His opposite number Edward Manoah was elated with the result, guiding the NSL side to their first ever domestic cup semi-final.

“We stuck to our strategy and that is what paid off. We play well with speed on the wings and our break out strategy was brilliantly executed. It is a calming result for the boys especially with the uncertainty around our sponsorship,” the former Chemelil Sugar boss told Capital Sport.

Vihiga, though not entirely dominant over the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions stuck to their strategy; defend well, find spaces and create chances. Though their head coach Manoah was sent to the stands with 15 minutes left, they still remained tucked to their style to see off the win.

Vihiga United’s Charles Okwemba dribbles past Tusker FC’s Boniface Muchiri during a GOtv Shield quarter final match at the Nyayo National Stadium on August 20, 2017. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

Okwemba who has over two decades of experience playing in the Kenyan top flight was hugely influential for the NSL side, pulling strings in midfield and spraying passes well upfront.

Tusker’s Humphrey Mieno was hugely subdued and his body language spoke volumes of a team that clearly wasn’t in the best of shapes to win the match.

The holders dominated possession in the opening minutes of the game, but failed to get even a single shot on target to make their dominance count.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The visitors grew into the game with Tusker not taking their approach seriously and they had their first chance in the 17th minute when Dennis Wafula forced a save off Duncan Ochieng at the far post when he raced to connect to a cross from the right.

Their pressure paid off in the 24th minute when Okwemba scored from the spot after Marlon Tangauzi handled the ball inside the box in an attempt to defend from a corner.

Three minutes on the turn, the brewers had a chance to draw back level but Danson Kago, not in his best element wasted a glorious chance. Boniface Muchiri cut back the ball to him well placed the edge of the six yard box, but the winger blasted the ball over.

Vihiga managed to sustain the Tusker surge upfront and they kept their back four intact, not even their two fullbacks getting into any forays upfront. Tusker on their side were careless with possession and lost balls cheaply.

Vihiga United’s Edwin Mukoya tightly marks Tusker FC’s Boniface Muchiri during a GOtv Shield quarter final match at the Nyayo National Stadium on August 20, 2017. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

The defending champions were forced to change personnel with midfielder Cersidy Okeyo being forced out with a back injury and his place taken by Jackson Macharia.

In the second half Okwemba almost doubled his tally with a well taken volley from the edge of the box but it went inches wide after Godfrey Airo had chested down a cross or him. On the other end, Muchiri had an effort from a freekick deflect off the wall and out for a corner.

Vihiga kept their defensive shape with 15 minutes left on the clock, safeguarding their lone goal advantage.

With Tusker not showing any urge to score, it was the visitors who would get the last laugh, Lugalia nodding the ball home from close range after some suspect Tusker defending from a corner.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved