Gor storm to CECAFA semis

Isaac Swila in Dar, Tanzania

Gor Mahia rallied from behind to ease to the semi finals of the Cecafa Kagame Cup after edging Vipers SC of Uganda 2-1 in a quarter finals match staged at the National Stadium here in Dar es Salaam.

Tadeo Lwanga put Vipers ahead firing in from 30 yards out, taking advantage of poor positioning by Boniface Oluoch in Gor`s goal.

Hope was however restored for the Kenyan champions, three minutes after the breather, when Rwandan forward Jacques Tuyisenge stabbed home from close range.

It was an easy-looking goal but which had a lot of weight as it hauled Gor back into the game, before new signing Francis Mustapha claimed the winning goal, 16minutes from time with a neat, simple, and clinical finish.

The busy Tuyisenge again had a hand in the goal, feeding Mustapha to open his Gor account.

Gor will now meet the winner between Azam and Rayon Sports in Wednesday’s semis.

Dylan Kerr`s men had a strong start with Mustapha`s header failing to find the target in the 11th minute and two minutes later, he failed to sweep in a point-blank feed from Godfrey Walusimbi in the box.

For their wastefulness, Gor were punished in the 19th minute when Vipers skipper Tadeo Lwanga fired in powerfully from long range beating Boniface Oluoch in Gor`s goal who was out of his line.

Trailing 0-1, Gor was left with a mountain to climb against a highly physical and tactfully disciplined side.

In the 34th minute, when Gor should have drawn level, Innocent Wafula, like Mustafa, wasted an open opportunity, directing his shot off the target after breaking clear.

The glut of chances wasted by Gor, in the first half, a clear pointer to the lack of a calm-goal poacher in the wake of Meddie Kagere`s exit.

But as if that was not enough, matters went from bad to worse in the 43rd minute, when coach Dylan Kerr made a forced substitution, bringing in Francis Kahata for injured Ernest Wendo, leaving K`Ogalo without a midfield enforcer.

However, the fears were eased after the interval as Gor played more with purpose, sticking to their game plan.

Tuyisenge, a constant thorn in Vipers defence then made a jinking run into the 12-yard box to cross for Mustapha whose goal in the 62nd minute was ruled for offside amidst protest from K`Ogalo players.

On the other side of the goalmouth, Danny Sserunkuma missed narrowly, as his free header from a Yayo Kato went wide, before Mustafa had the last word for Gor with a simple finish in the 74th minute.

Gor Mahia

Starting Eleven: 29. Oluoch Boniface, 26. Otieno Philemon, 2. Walusimbi Godfrey, 18. Shakava Haron, 27. Momanyi Charles, 20. Wendo Ernest, 7. Wafula Innocent, 30. Mieno Humphrey, 9. Tuyisenge Jacques, 23. Mustapha Francis, 25. Odhiambo

Substitutes: 16.Odhiji Shaaban, 17.Ondiek Bernard, 24.Juma Lawrence, 14.Kevin Omondi, 19.Guikan Ephrem, 6.Onyango Samuel, 8.Francis Kahata

Vipers SC

Starting Eleven: 30.Bashir Sekagya, 13.Dan Sserunkuma, 22.Bashir Asiku, 28. Geoffrey Wasswa. 9.Steven Mukwala, 29.Milton Karisa, 16.Ibrahim Kiyemba, 17. Tadelo Lwanga(Capt),23. Yayo Kato, 12.Rahmat Ssenfuka, 11. Duncan Sseninde

Substitutes: 1.Erick Kibowa, 2.Fred Okot, 8. Pius Wanji 18.Brian Nkuubi, 20. Aggrey Madoi, 24.Ashraf Mandela, 15.Frank Tumwesige