National Super League (NSL) champions Nairobi United were crowned FKF Cup winners after a spirited 2-1 victory over Premier League giants Gor Mahia on Sunday, completing a remarkable domestic double and earning a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.
The newly promoted Kenyan Premier League side showed their intent early in the match, breaking the deadlock in the first half.
This sparked a brief protests from the Gor funs prompting police to intervene.
Frank Ouya capitalized on a defensive lapse from a throw-in, latching onto a loose ball at the edge of the box to make a bicycle kick strike past Gor Mahia goalkeeper Kevin Omondi to give Nairobi United the lead.
Gor responded in the 36th minute through Ben Stanley, who finished off a well-worked counterattack. A low cut-back from Musa Sherif rolled past the feet of Austin Odhiambo, but Stanley arrived with precision to curl the ball into the far corner and restore parity.
In the second half, former Bandari man, Enock Machaka produced a moment of brilliance in the 73rd minute. He unleashed a thunderous long-range effort that flew past Kevin Omondi to put Nairobi United back in front and shift momentum once again.
Gor Mahia had a golden chance to level the score in the 86th minute after Austin Odhiambo was brought down in the box, earning a penalty. However, Alpha Onyango failed to convert with his miss proving costly as Nairobi United held on for a famous win.
Nairobi United have been giant slayers in their run to the FKF Cup tittle with victories over Tusker FC, KCB FC, Kakamega Homeboyz, Mara Sugar in the semi-finals and Gor Mahia in the final.
After the match, a section of disappointed Gor Mahia fans attempted to rough up coach Zedekiah Otieno, who has been at the helm since the exit of Sinisa Mihich towards the end of the Premer League campaign.
Earlier on at the same venue, Murang’a Seal had beat Mara Sugar 1-0 to win bronze of the competition, another comforting performance for the Yusuf Chipo-coached side after surviving Premier League relegation on the final day of the season.
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