Gor Mahia 1-1 AFC Leopards (6-5 pens): K'Ogalo fight back to lift Madaraka Day Cup

Football Kenya Premier League heavyweights Gor Mahia won the Madaraka Day Cup after beating archrivals AFC Leopards 6-5 on post-match penalties on Wednesday at Uhuru Gardens.

During the 59th national Madaraka Day celebrations, the local giants clashed, and Ingwe took the lead in the first half when Collins Shivachi scored, before K’Ogalo fought back and equalized when Austin Odhiambo found the back of the net to force the game to be decided from spot-kicks.

Meanwhile, Shivachi made a critical intervention in the 12th minute when he blocked a final ball when Gor Mahia mounted a serious attack looking for an opening goal.

Ingwe got their first chance in the 15th minute after they won a free-kick from a promising position when Fasanmi Olaniyi was fouled. However, Brian Wanyama’s delivery was cleared, and two minutes later, they got another set-piece that was taken by Cliff Nyakeya, but it went off target.

In the 34th minute, the deadlock was broken when Shivachi connected to a Washington Munene free-kick and headed past Gad Mathews to put Leopards in front.

In the 57th minute, Patrick Aussems made a change for Leopards when he withdrew Olaniyi and brought on former Premier League top scorer John Makwatta in a bid to strengthen their attacking department.

As Ingwe looked shaky in midfield, Aussems made a second change when he threw Maxwell Otieno into action in place of captain Eugene Mukangula in the 66th minute. However, they conceded in the 68th minute against their resurgent opponents.

After a number of heroic saves, Levis Opiyo conceded after he was dispossessed by Gor Mahia’s Sando Yangay, who laid the ball on the path of Odhiambo, who scored against his former club.

The draw at full-time meant the winner had to be decided from the spot-kick as Tedian Esilaba, Munene, Victor Omune, second-half substitute Josephat Lopaga, and Makwatta all successfully converted for AFC Leopards, while Peter Thiong’o missed his penalty.

Gor Mahia’s penalties were scored by Philemon Otieno, Samuel Onyango, Dennis Ng'ang'a, John Macharia, and Odhiambo.