Upset Alert: Gor Mahia bounced out of Mozzart Bet Cup in shock loss to Denmak FC

FKF Premier League side Gor Mahia have become the latest high profile team to be bundled out of contention for the Mozzart Bet Cup after suffering a shock loss on post-match penalties to Regional side Denmak FC in a Round of 32 tie played at Ukunda Showground on Sunday.

The league leaders, after being forced to a barren draw at full time, saw their hopes for a potential cup double this season dashed as they lost 5-4 on penalties.

Sizing themselves for a potential banana-slip in this contest, coach Johnathan McKinstry had gone with a strong lineup with experienced heads, but saw a number of decent opportunities go by the wayside.

Chris Ochieng came close early on with a shot that was saved by Denmak keeper Don, and he was at hand to repel second half attempts from Kevin Juma and Bryson Wangai.

In the penalty shoot-outs, fate would have it that the decisive kick was taken by skipper Philemon Otieno, who failed to compose himself and handed Dom a chance with the game winning save.

This is the second year in a row Gor Mahia under McKinstry are going out early in the cup, as they were also on the losing side to eventual winners Kakamega Homeboyz in last year's Round of 16 tie.

As for Denmak FC, progress to the last 16 means they will face National Super League side SS Assad, 3-1 winners over Bomachoge in Saturday's tie.

Meanwhile at Police Sacco Grounds, new AFC Leopards signing Arthur Gitego left no doubt on his early impact in the team, as he scored a hattrick to see Ingwe crush PAC University 3-0.

The Rwanda international, who hadn't scored a goal since his arrival in the mid-season transfer window, pounced on a loose ball recovered by defender Kayci Odhiambo to give Leopards the lead in the 40th minute.

Gitego shortly after the break then made it 2-0 with a well-worked header to the right corner of Daniel Mutavi's goal, before wrapping up his exploits with a tap-in from a Clifton Miheso cross in the 77th minute.

In other late Round of 32 games, Premier League sides Bidco United and Shabana sailed through to the last 16 with wins over Karatina Homeboyz and Shalimar respectively.

Mozzart Bet Cup: Hillary Juma strikes twice as Homeboyz begin title defense on a high

Bidco United in a 2-0 win got their goals from Brian Mboya and John Walubuka - all from Francis Kamau assists - while Shabana had to rely on Fredrick Odhiambo's heroics to win on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

NSL side Mombasa Stars in another clash at Kinoru Stadium also needed penalties to settle their tie with Al Azizia, where they emerged 6-5 winners following a 1-1 draw.

Round of 32 Results

Kenya Police 1-0 Posta Rangers (Police Sacco Stadium, 3:15 pm)

FC Talanta 0-1 Bungoma Stars (Police Sacco Stadium, 12 noon)

Silibwet (3) 2-2 (5) Sofapaka (Silibwet Green Stadium, 1 pm)

Compel 2-0 Kajiado (Panpaper Ilala Stadium, Webuye, 1 pm)

Bomachoge Borabu 1-3 SS Assad (Kenyenya Grounds, 1 pm)

PAC University 0-3 AFC Leopards (Police Sacco Stadium, 3:15 pm)

Zetech Titans 0(3)-(4)0 Mara Sugar (Police Sacco Stadium, 12 noon)

Karatina Homeboyz 0-2 Bidco United (Karatina Stadium, 3 pm)

MOFA 0-1 KCB (MOFA Complex, 1 pm)

Solian City 0-2 Kakamega Homeboyz (Solian Girls High School, El Dama Ravine, 1 pm)

Bumbani Stars 1-2 Tusker (Ukunda Showground, 12 noon)

Shalimar 1 (2)-(3) 1 Shabana (Longonot Horticulture Grounds, 3 pm)

Al Azizia 1 (5)-(6) 1 Mombasa Stars (Kinoru Stadium, 3 pm)

Denmak 0 (5) – (4) 0 Gor Mahia (Ukunda Showground, 3:15 pm)

Harvest of Hope Africa 0-2 Ulinzi Stars (Mumias Sports Complex, 1 pm)

Nyamira Super Eagles 0-1 Kariobangi Sharks (Cardinal Otunga High School, 1 pm)