Mozzart Bet Cup: Chetambe goal knocks out defending champions

Defending Mozzart Bet Cup champions Kakamega Homeboyz have been knocked out of this year’s tournament after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of KCB in Saturday’s quarterfinal played at Dandora Stadium, Nairobi.

Danson Chetambe’s right-footed strike at the hour mark made all the difference in the heated tie, as the Bankers booked their place into the semifinals after falling at this stage last year.

All pre-match talks seemed to favor Kakamega Homeboyz - based on their unprecedented success last season and also due to their water-tight defense that had not let in a goal in this year’s competition - but it was Bernard Mwalala’s side that upset the odds, saving their disappointing season with a shot at silverware.

For Mwalala, who was visibly excited in his post-match interview, it is familiar territory as he makes another deep run of a competition he won with Bandari in 2019.

"We came here a bit desperate," Mwalala, who saw his side fall off the standings after a positive start said. "There were missed chances in the first half that I felt we should have converted but we finally made it count against such a worthy opponent. It is such a good feeling to make it to the last four."

Asked about which team he would love to face between Kenya Police and Sofapaka - who face off in Saturday's late game - he said: "I cannot dictate that. Whoever wins we will be ready for them."

KCB left-back Herit Mungai, who was industrious on both ends of play, was awarded man of the match, and presented with a humanitarian cheque worth Ksh. 100,000 courtesy of leading gaming firm Mozzart Bet.

Match Report

KCB showed their intent in the fixture early on as they came close twice inside the first quarter hour, smashing the crossbar before Henry Onyango's cross was cleared off the line.

Mungai's run down the left then created the best chance for the bankers in the first half as he sent in a pass for Philemon Nyakwaka who laid off Kevin Okumu, only for his shot to trickle wide.

Shaffik Batambuze with a chance to give the day's visitors a chance to go ahead with their first real go smashed his freekick way over the bar to see both sides level at the break.

The second half was livelier though, and got to a tense start for KCB keeper Farouk Shikhalo as he watched Eston Esiye's deflected freekick hit the side-netting.

Hannif Wesonga then made a vital block on the defensive end before his side took the lead.

It all came from a fortunate bounce of the ball to Onyango, who after scanning the pitch offered Nyakwaka a perfect pass that he delightfully flicked into the path of Chetambe for a firm shot that caught James Ssetuba flat-footed.

Adizero 10K: Agnes Ngetich narrowly misses women's only record in win

The goal scorer with the goal had done just enough as he was taken off for Derrick Otieno before Mungai came close with a shot straight at the Ugandan keeper.

Patrick Odhiambo, in a bid to save his team from an exit, rung the changes, bringing on Nicholas Kipkirui and Christopher Masinza in the 66th minute.

Kipkirui seemed an instant threat as he headed a John Omondi cross from the right to the side-netting, but that was just that.

The final quarter was characterized by KCB control, miss-passes from Homeboyz dependables - notably Moses Mudavadi - and a moment of chaos when both sets of players seemed to engage in a mini-wrestling fight.

There was Ssetuba too barking at referee Kevin Maina, and even last year's final hero Kevin Amwayi was going to change the outcome here.

Bankers delight!