Mozzart Bet Cup: Kinanga's bullet sends Police to round of 16

Second-half substitute Clinton Kinanga needed two minutes on the pitch to strike the winning goal, sending Kenya Police to the Mozzart Bet Cup round of sixteen following their 1-0 win over Posta Rangers at the Police Sacco Stadium.

Thrown in to make the Rangers' defense busy and probably attack the aerial balls floated in the area, Kinanga connected a lovely cross from Abud Omar in the 85th minute to win the contest for his side.

The towering forward had replaced Tito Okello who had an afternoon to forget as he didn't influence the game as wished and was hence, withdrawn.

Before the game-changing moment, both teams had done a pretty decent job in building up play but were let down by poor finishing from the limited chances created.

The tactical setup by either coaches whose philosophy is almost the same made the duel interesting as both teams stuck to their usual eye-catching style of play. 

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The progression of the ball, passes and everything that both teams did was impressive but putting the ball into the net proved a challenge.

Both coaches introduced fresh legs late into the game, throwing caution to the wind by resting defensive-minded players for offensive ones in a bid to break the deadlock. 

Fortune went in favour of the Police after Kinanga plundered home the sole goal planted smiles on the face of coach Salim Babu who admitted that it was difficult to breach the Posta backline given their tactical approach. 

"It was a tough game as Posta were tactically superb. They made it difficult for us but I am glad that we won at long last," said Babu. 

Having booked a place in the round of sixteen, Babu says he is not afraid of meeting top guns at all as he believes that his boys are equal to the task. 

"I am a fan of tough matches as they give you a whole picture of your team. If you win matches easily, you may not realize the weaknesses of your team. We are ready for any opponent in the next round, " he stated.

 With the win, Police are yet to taste defeat under the former Nzoia Sugar coach in any competition. 

Babu is however concerned with the manner in which the team is creating and scoring. 

Reacting to the loss, Posta head coach John Kamau said they shot themselves on their feet after failing to capitalize on the scoring chances.

“We had clear chances but decided to pass the ball when in good scoring situations. Overall we played well but we were sloppy in tracking the moment in which Police scored from.There are good lessons to pick from the game,” said Kamau.

Mozzart Bet Cup Saturday Results

Silibwet Leons (3) 2-2 (5) Sofapaka (1-1)

/V. Kipkirui 17, S. Okwemba 61- B.Ochieng 43, K. Andre 80/

Compel 2-0 Kajiado FC (0-0)

/B. Simiyu 52, E. Khaemba 53/

Bomachoge Borabu 1-3 SS Assad (0-0)

/D. Orweya 74- N. Hamisi 70, A. Hamadi 78, A. Nyabuto (OG) 84/

FC Talanta 0-1 Bungoma Stars (0-1)

/M. Makokha 38/

Kenya Police 1-0 Posta Rangers (0-0)

/C. Kinanga 85/

Sunday Fixtures

PAC University vs AFC Leopards (Police Sacco Stadium, 3:15 pm)

Zetech Titans vs Mara Sugar (Police Sacco Stadium, 12 noon)

Karatina Homeboyz vs Bidco United (Karatina Stadium, 3 pm)

MOFA vs KCB (MOFA Complex, 1 pm)

Solian City vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Solian Girls High School, El Dama Ravine, 1 pm)

Bumbani Stars vs Tusker (Ukunda Showground, 12 noon)

Shalimar vs Shabana (Longonot Horticulture Grounds, 3 pm)

Al Azizia vs Mombasa Stars (Kinoru Stadium, 3 pm)

Denmark vs Gor Mahia (Ukunda Showground, 3:15 pm)

Harvest of Hope Africa vs Ulinzi Stars (Mumias Sports Complex, 1 pm)

Nyamira Super Eagles vs Kariobangi Sharks (Cardinal Otunga High School, 1 pm)