Tuyisenge on target as Gor lift 2017 Super Cup title

Gor Mahia won their first title under Head Coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Marcelo as the record Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions edged Tusker FC 1-0 at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium in Sunday’s Super Cup clash.

The Brazilian fielded a strong line-up featuring new signings Kenneth Muguna and Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza but it was the club’s record signing Jacques Tuyisenge who scored the the decisive goal in the second half.

The Rwandese striker vindicated his Ksh4m prize tag when he scored his most important goal yet in a K’Ogalo jersey, tucking away his effort from the spot to set Gor’s season off to a winning start.

Both sides employed a cagey approach to the opening proceedings, sizing each through the first quarter and it was Gor – with the pain of a trophyless 2016 yet to fade – that invented the first piece of direct play.

Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi had an early shot on goal thwarted by keeper Duncan Ochieng before Ze Maria’s men had a penalty appeal turned down.

Gor were up in protest as the referee waved play on when a corner kick, flung in by Muguna, appeared to come off Hashim Sempala’s arm with Tusker looking increasingly vulnerable at the back.

Eugene Asike twice came to Ochieng’s rescue with two successive last-ditch blocks to clear the ball off their goal line. Walusimbi enjoyed an opening 45 minutes, looking the most likely to decide the clash early on and was unfortunate not to have had a goal to his name before the break.

Gor continued to press for the opener at the restart and finally found the breakthrough as Tuyisenge converted from the spot in the 60th minute after Timothy Otieno had been tripped inside the box.

Tusker launched a tame fight-back against the side they had not lost to in their past two meetings and looked a pale reflection of themselves as Gor saw out the rest of the encounter to lift their first title of the season.

The clash set contrasting tones for two club’s campaigns with Gor who tackle promoted Kariobangi Sharks finding the right momentum while Tusker will need some soul-searching before they begin their title defense against National Super League (NSL) champions Nzoia United.

SQUADS

Gor Mahia FC: Bonface Oluoch, Karim Nizigiyimana,  Haron Shakava, Joash Onyango Musa Mohamed, Ernest Wendo, Jean Mugiraneza Kenneth Muguna, Jacques Tuyisenge, Timothy Otieno and Godfrey Walusimbi.

Subs: Peter Odhiambo, Wellington Ochieng, Philemon Otieno, Oliver Maloba, George Odhiambo, Innocent Wafula, Anthony Mbugua and Amos Nondi.

Tusker FC : Duncan Ochieng(GK), Marlon Tangauzi, Samuel Olwande, Lloyd wahome, Eugene Asike, Hashim Sempala, Noah Wafula, Cercidy Lumumba, Clifford Alwanga, Humphrey Mieno, Moses Ndawula

Subs: David Okello(GK), Martin Kizza, James Situma, Sydney Ochieng, Jackson Macharia, Victor Ndinya, Abdul Hassan