Gor Mahia kick start FKF Cup quest with victory

The long and arduous Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup hunt for Gor Mahia was off to a flier as they thumped Congo Boys 0-3 in a match staged at the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Sunday afternoon.

The match had been pushed forward on two occasions with K'Ogalo's continental assignments in the CAF Confederations Cup forcing the match to be postponed.

Gor Mahia were scheduled to play the shelved fixture towards the end of March but President Uhuru Kenyatta announced an indefinite ban on sports in the country due to the rising cases of Covid-19.

Congo Boys aimed to hold off Gor Mahia for as long as possible and surprise with a smash and grab victory in the latter stages of the game.

The plan seemed to work in the opening 30 minutes as they limited Gor Mahia to a few chances but their resistance was finally broken in the 37th minute courtesy of a Tito Okello strike. This being the South Sudanese’s second consecutive goal for Gor Mahia after breaking his goal drought against Sofapaka on Thursday.

He will hope to take his good form to the National Team after he was called up ahead of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup slated for December as they begin preparations against Jordan in June.

Manuel Vaz Pinto’s charges began the second half guns blazing and doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart with John Macharia getting his name on the scoresheet.

Macharia who joined Gor Mahia at the start of the season from Georgian club Guria added to his tally after opening his account in the 3-4 loss to Kariobangi Sharks at the start of the season.

K’Ogalo put the game past Congo Boys a minute after the half-hour mark with Clifton Miheso extending his hot streak.

Miheso bagged a brace in the win over 3-1 win over Bidco United and chipped in with an assist in the win over City Stars last Sunday.

Gor Mahia held on for the win to qualify for the Round of 32 where they will face Usain Gishu based CUSCO FC.