Zoo FC upset Ingwe to clinch inaugural Mashujaa Day Cup

FKF Division One side Zoo FC are the inaugural Mashujaa Day Cup winners after upsetting FKF Premier League side AFC Leopards 2-1 in a fixture staged at the newly named Kiprugut Chumo Stadium in Kericho.

The cup, played in front of a packed stadium and in the presence of Sports Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ababu Namwamba, was set to coincide with Kenya’s Mashujaa Day celebrations - marked on the 20th of October every year.

The celebrations also brought with it the change of name of the match venue, as President William Ruto approved the change of name of the then Kericho Green Stadium to the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, in memory of the late Kiprugut Chumo; the first Kenyan to win an Olympic gold medal, an 800m bronze in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

In the match however, AFC Leopards, albeit playing most of their reserve players, got into the lead in the 51st minute through returning midfielder Victor Omune as he converted his penalty after Len Lung'aho was fouled inside the box.

AFC Leopards had finally broken the deadlock in the game that had seen them create multiple opportunities in the first half through Brian Mandela and Owen Mboya.

Ingwe’s lead would however not last long, as Zoo FC fired back with a leveler in the 58th minute through Newton Ondari.

A cup upset was on the cards when the midfielder added his second from a freekick after 73 minutes, giving the hosts a lead that they eventually held on, lifting the title.

Posta's Otieno hoping to keep up the momentum as league action resumes this weekend

The defeat will mark new AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha’s first defeat since taking over from Tom Juma, but all eyes will be directed to Ingwe’s first game under him this season, as the team travels to Mbaraki Stadium to face Bandari FC on Sunday.