FKF Betway Cup: Newbies push KPL clubs before submitting out of competition

The round of 32 of the Football Kenya Federation Betway cup played over the weekend produced a mixed bag of results, a host of Kenya Premier League clubs sweating it out before making it to the next round of the competition.

League leaders, Gor Mahia, twice came from behind to beat third tier Naivas FC 3-2 in a thrilling encounter staged at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

The KPL side found themselves trailing in the 12^th minute after a fine finish from Kingsley Oduor set the visitors on course.

However, K’Ogallo levelled matters through Dickson Ambudo on the 40^th minute.

But the tie did not last as just after a minute of resumption, the underdogs reclaimed their lead through Hassan Rashid.

Perhaps, worried that they could lose out to the FKF Division 3 side, the Kenyan champions came into the second half a more determined side and leveled matters shortly after resumption through Lawrence Juma, who danced his way through the defense before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.

Boniface Omondi finally sealed all the points for Gor in the 89^th minute when he found himself unmarked inside the box to fire into bottom left corner.

Luanda Villa 1 – 1 Ulinzi (7 – 8 pens)

At the Mumias Sports Complex, Ulinzi Stars had to squeeze their way through post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw against Division Two side Luanda Villa. The Soldiers won the spot-kicks 8-7.

AFC Leopards was another side that struggled to sail through after narrowly pipping Elim FC, while Zoo Youth held KCB to a draw and only lost out in the penalties.

In the matches played on Saturday, only Kariobangi Sharks were winners in regular time after dispatching Kenpoly FC 2-0.

Kisumu All Stars were held to a barren draw by Nyabururu Sportiff and sailed through 4-3 on post- match penalties with a similar score line playing between Balaji EPZ and Sofapaka with the latter qualifying 5-4 on penalties.