Star studded FIFA Best knocked out Soka Talent with Mashimoni also sailing through to the quarter finals of the Dennis Oliech Cup following two pulsating Round of 16 matches.The match boasted a litany of players who have graced the Kenyan top flights as FIFA Best had Ulinzi Stars midfielder John Kago and Nairobi City Stars full back Wesley Onguso.Soka Talent had former Zambian Super League stars Musa Mohamed, Teddy Osok andJohn Makwatta, KCB duo of Martin Nderitu and David Owino, Bidco United forward Hillary Shilao with Gor Mahia midfielder John Macharia and Kariobangi Sharks forward Julius Masaba starting from the bench.The game was off to a tense start as both teams struggled to find any rhythm. Players struggled to string passes between them as both teams engaged in high tempo pressing leaving little time for opponents to dwell on the ball.The match however, sprung to life in the 32nd minute when Soka Talent failed to clear their lines presenting the ball to Martin Nderitu who was at the edge of the box with acres of space and time to pick his spot as he slotted the ball into the net to hand FIFA Best the lead.Before the dust could settle on FIFA Best’s lead, Soka Talent drew level through Bidco United forward Hillary Shilao who muscled his way to force the ball into the net after the goalkeeper spilled Teddy Osok’s cross as FIFA Best claimed the goalkeeper was impeded.Soka Talent rung the changes at half time bringing in Gor Mahia midfielder John Macharia and KCB forward Henry Onyango.The changes almost weaved its magic two minutes into the second half when Onyango ran half the length of the pitch to fed Teddy Osok with a cut back but the former Wazito FC midfielder saw his effort sail wide off the mark.The second half was however a cautious affair as both teams played with the handbrake on, opting to defend in numbers instead of sending bodies forward in search of a winner.Osok was however sent off in the 74th minute for an elbow on Adrian Kiarie after receiving his first yellow card in The 21st minute for a foul on Martin Nderitu but Soka Talent forced the game to a draw.Soka Talent missed one of their spotkicks to send FIFA Best to the finals.
