Nakumatt FC keeper, Azamu Adisa celebrates after saving two penalties in their GOtv Shield quarter finals on Saturday, November 14 at Nyayo National Stadium. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, November 14 – Second tier side Nakumatt FC are through to the GOtv Shield semi finals after eliminating SportPesa Premier League side Sony Sugar 3-1 on post match penalties at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
The clash was force to shoot-outs after after both sides shared a 1-1 stalemate in the last eight.
Nakumatt will now face the winner between unbeaten league champions Gor Mahia and Administration Police who will battle it out for the last quarter final on Friday next week.
After a dull first half that saw the two sides fail to break the deadlock, goals came in the last half with Victor Ayugi sending the Sugar Millers ahead in the 57th minute before the lead was cancelled out two minutes later, when Nakumatt captain Peter Nzuki scored from the spot to level the scores.
Sony head coach, Salim Babu who made eight changes from the squad that lost 2-1 to Gor in the KPL Top 8 final, said inexperience cost them.
“Penalties are usually anyone’s game. We did train for them but our best three who we were depending on lost but that’s football we were ready for whatever the outcome. I had a new team so in experience cost us.”
His opposite number, Giovanni Troanni said they are now looking forward for the semis where he prefers to meet K’Ogalo.
“The boys played well and created many opportunities but above all I’m happy because we won against a big team and that has demonstrated we are a big team too. Wycliffe Kasaya is a good keeper but Azamu Adisa is good on penalties I believe he is the best in Kenya.
“The win means we now have opportunity to meet another big team in the semis and I hope to meet my very good friend Frank Nuttall of Gor.”
Adisa who came on for experienced Kasaya six minutes to stoppage time was the hero of the day after saving two penalties as his side converted three out of three to bundle out favorites Sony.
Adisa stopped Marwa Chamberi and his fellow keeper’s Kevin Omondi’s kicks as Ayugi hit the cross bar for Sony’s second penalty.
Cornelius Juma, Donald Mosoti and Mustapha Mohammed scored for Nakumatt while Amos Ndondi netted the only spot-kick for the cane cutters.
