Tusker FC will kick start their 2020-2021 Football Kenya Federation premier League (FKFPL) with a trophy after beating 10-man Gor Mahia 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time in a Super Cup match staged at the Thika Stadium on Wednesday 22 September.Mark Harrison bemoaned the little time to prepare for the clash and shockingly admitted that they are not ready to compete in the league.”I’m obviously disappointed but penalties are always a trophy, I don’t think we performed well, we only had 10 days of training, we made shocking decisions and in the final 30 minutes we camped in our own half,””We are not ready to compete for the new season we need more time to prepare for the new season, we were just told last week that the league will begin,” said Harrison.Tusker FC beat Gor Mahia 8-7 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time to win season curtain-raiser Super Cup. pic.twitter.com/sxBgv2PU1a— Tony Anelka (@tonyanelka) September 22, 2021 His counterpart Robert Matano was glad to start the season with another trophy and explained his decision not to introduce Patrick Matasi.”I’m happy with the young boys we gave the fringe players a chance, they really performed well and we are happy to be starting the season with a trophy,”He did not play but his match fitness was not that good with would have affected his reaction that is why we opted to stick with Brain Bwire in goal,” said Matano.Gor Mahia arrived into the clash with positive news surrounding their camp after FIFA lifted the transfer embargo that allowed them to field new signing Peter Lwasa with Boniface Omondi re-signing after his tumultuous season at Wazito FC, his club mate Dennis Ng’ang’a, Joachim Oluoch extending his stay and Joshua Nyawir earning promotion from the Youth Team.The 2021 FKF Super Cup winners🎊🎉 @tusker_fc #FKFSuperCup pic.twitter.com/GpqoTin9Mz— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) September 22, 2021 Tusker rested some of their big guns after a grueling tie with Djibouti’s Arta Solar 7 that earned them a place on the Second Round of the CAF Champions League against Egyptian champions Zamalek with skipper Eugene Asike, Daniel Sakari, Jackson Macharia, Charles Momanyi and Shani Kibwana missing from the starting line up as only Boniface Muchiri retained his place from their last clash.Jules Ulimwengu was a surprise inclusion into the squad following reports of him decamping the financial-stricken K’Ogalo with new signings Adama Keita, Boniface Omondi and Sando Yangayay making the bench.The game was off to a physical start with both sets of local players from both teams looking to impress the newly installed Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat watching from the stands.📸| Congratulations @tusker_fc for winning the #FKFSuperCup pic.twitter.com/TSEijePLVs— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 22, 2021 So physical was the game that Harun Shakava and Samuel Onyango needed treatment after suffering knocks with Deogracious Ojok being a casualty from in the charged match as he was withdrawn with an injury and in his place came Ibrahim Joshua.Gor Mahia who displayed innovative set pieces were at attacking in the 40th minute when Peter Lwasa whipped in a sumptuous free kick that was half cleared by the Tusker defence line with the ball falling kindly to Dennis Ng’ang’a who opted for power instead of placement as his effort sailed over the bar as again they failed to capitalize on the dead ball that handed Tusker a nightmare.Unimpressed with first half proceedings K’Ogalo head coach Mark Marrison rung the changes as he introduced Benson Omalla who was making a return to the field in Gor Mahia colours after his unsuccessful stint in Sweden with Linkoping City as off came John Ochieng forcing Lwasa to drop into the central midfield role.90’| What a Performance from this Man Gad MathewsTusker 1-1 Gor Mahia#FKFSuperCup pic.twitter.com/cCZ99Y4Mdo— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 22, 2021 The change took only nine minutes to weave its magic as Brian Bwire brought down Omalla who first got to an aerial ball with the referee pointing to the spot as Samuel Onyango took the spot kick much to the frustration of Peter Lwasa who was ready to dispatch the penalty. Onyango restored the faith kept in him in set piece duties as he nonchalantly converted from 12 yards.Just before the dust could settle on Gor Mahia’s lead, Tusker were awarded a penalty a minute later after Ng’ang’a charged down Ibrahim Joshua who stepped up to take the penalty and held his nerve to beat Gad Mathews who has developed a knack for saving penalties.The game went from bad to worse for Gor Mahia as their skipper Harun Shakava was sent for an early shower after bringing down Kevin Monyi in the Tusker penalty area as the former Nkana FC player tried to attack a free-kick.Despite Tusker head coach sending in the cavalry of Humphrey Mieno, Jackson Macharia and Daniel Sakari, Gor Mahia withered the the Brewers storm to send the game to penalties.The #FKFSuperCup is here!!Tusker 🆚 Gor Mahia🏟️ Thika Stadium⌚ 1 pm EAT📺 StarTimes pic.twitter.com/hHasL9WjTU— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) September 22, 2021 Before the final whistle, Matano looked set to introduce Patrick Matasi but opted against it in the 11th hour as he chose to trust Brain Bwire.Before the onset of the penalties Matano reintroduced Muchiri in place of Macharia who came on as a substitute.Sydney Ochieng converted the first penalty for Gor Mahia with Monyi witnessing his penalty saved by Gad Mathews. Ng’ang’a made no mistake from the spot with the experiences Mieno failing to hold his nerve as he blazed his effort over the bar.Bwire saved Alpha’s penalty as Sakari became the first Tusker player to score at the third attempt with Nkata also missing from the spot.Muchiri converted his penalty with Frank also nestling the back of the net. Ibrahim also scored from the spot with Sando Yangayay and Senaji scoring.Philemon Otieno displayed nerve of steel to convert as so did Christopher Oruchum. Omalla and Brian Bwire scored their penalties and his opposite number Gad Mathews.Jimmy Mbugua scored but Ernest Wendo’s spot kick was saved by Bwire as Kirenge scored to hand Tusker the trophy.
