- Tusker FC beat Ulinzi Stars 1-0
- Homeboyz shocked AFC Leopards 2-1
- The final is set for June 1
Tusker FC’s bid for a season double remains evenly poised after they stormed the final of the FKF Cup following a 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The brewers’ last double conquest was in 2016 and they hope for a repeat of the same. They will take on Kakamega Homeboyz in the final on June 1 in Nairobi after the latter shocked AFC Leopards 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Tusker’s head coach Robert Matano says they will remain calm, even as they chase both the league and the Cup. “It was our target at the start of the season to try and compete in both competitions and I am glad we are in the final. But this is now behind us and we switch our focus back in the league. We want to do well also because we have a crucial game on Sunday,” Robert Matano, the Tusker FC head coach stated.
Against Ulinzi, Eric Otieno stepped off the bench to score a 90th minute winner to sail the Brewers to their first final since 2016. Otieno dived in at the backpost to connect to a cross from Levin Odhiambo, who was named man of the match for his performance in the game.
Closely contested first half
The first half was closely contested with both sides having chances at goal. Rodgers Ouma had two efforts fly wide while John Njuguna also had a rasping low shot whizz just inches off target.
Ulinzi’s best chance was with Stephen Etyang, the electric winger wheeling away on the left but his eventual shot flew across the face of goal.
In the second half, Ulinzi were faster off the blocks and just eight minutes in, they came close when Boniface Muchiri curled one from a freekick at the edge of the box but the effort came cracking against the crossbar as he threatened to kill off his former employers.
Tusker made changes in their personnel with Eric Mmata and Otieno coming on for Deo Ojok and Lawrence Luvanda. They piled pressure on Ulinzi and it ultimately paid off at the stroke of 90 minutes.
Amwayi kills off Leopards
Elsewhere in the late kick off, Kevin Amwayi starred for Homeboyz with a goal and an assist all between three minutes as they thrashed Leopards 2-1. Cliff Nyakeya came off the bench to score late on, but it was little too late as they couldn’t conjure a memorable comeback.
Amwayi created the opening goal for Homeboyz when he took on a good run on the left before crossing for Moses Shummah to head home at the backpost.
Two minutes later, Amwayi picked up the ball from a brilliant through pass before dummying past the keeper and a marker to shoot into an empty net.
In the second half, Leopards camped in the Homeboyz half to try get a goal back. They eventually did so in the 87th minute when Nyakeya shot low from inside the box, but their efforts despite six minutes of added time could not bear results.
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