KPL Under-20: Gor through to quarters

A first half Amos Nondi strike was enough to ensure Gor Mahia sailed through to the quarter finals of the Kenyan Premier League Under-20, recording a slim 1-0 victory over Sofapaka to top pool ‘A’ of the tournament.

In the first minute, Sofapaka were caught napping as Joseph Waruinge whipped in a pinpoint cross that Wilson Mwendwa connected sweetly but was denied by the crossbar with keeper Reuben Juma beaten.

John Baraza’s boys reacted almost instantly with Dayo Magonya dashing on the left wing before releasing Vincent Agono with a brilliant through ball but the latter’s trigger from six yards out was blocked.

Quick interplay between Sofapaka’s Dahir Akim and Christian Aveilla opened up Gor’s defence but after a spectacular turn with the ball, Aveilla could only fire straight into the hands of keeper Felix Otieno.

Amos Nondi, who also features for K’Ogalo, chipped a clever loop to the path of Waruinge in the box but his powerful shot was blocked by Ali Ramadhan with Mwenda blasting the rebound wide off target.

Otieno was forced to a brilliant save in the 20^th minute as Sofapaka started knocking harder at Gor’s doors with Aveila particularly impressive again.

However, it would be Gor who would break the deadlock as Nondi scored from outside the box with a powerful low shot that zoomed past Juma into the back of the net.

Martin Oduor should have drawn his side level late in the first half as he found himself in a promising position only to see his shot come off the post.

Both coaches made one change each just before the break, Levin Ochieng replacing Oduor while Gor’s Donald Opiyo made way for Davis Onyango.

Both goalkeepers were kept the entire second half as Gor labored to put the tie to bed.

Nondi should have grabbed his second of the afternoon the 78^th minute when he ran all the way from the middle of the pack into the box only to fumble with his final shot.

Despite the frantic late hunt for a goal, the match ended 1-0 to send Sofapaka packing.