Kenya Police FC are the 2024 Mozzart Bet Cup winners after beating KCB FC 8-7 on post-match penalties following a barren draw in regular and extra time at the Ulinzi Sports Complex Grounds on Saturday afternoon.After a string of 17 spot-kicks, the big moment fell to Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who calmly placed his shot past Farouk Shikalo, wheeling away in celebration for what was his team’s first piece of competitive silverware in Kenya’s footballing scene.##NAJAVA_MECA_8186110##The former Tusker man, aiming to also win his first Mozzart Bet Cup, had earlier put his team in a strong position to lift the title, initially pointing his finger at young Shadrack Simiyu as he prepared to take his penalty, before diving right to keep the effort out.And after insisting to take the final spot-kick, there he was, arms outstretched, rushing past the benches and into a passionate Kenya Police hurdle, the players savoring a huge moment infront of their bouncing fans on the north stand.For his efforts in deciding the contest, Matasi was awarded with the Mozzart Bet Cup Man of Match Award, with teammate David Owino taking home the Most Valuable Player gong.With the win, Kenya Police FC, walk home with Ksh. 2 million, and with it a place at next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.As for KCB, a dour FKF Premier League season takes a more disappointing turn, with the team unable to claim their first title since 2004 despite making an impressive run to the final.Kenya Police FC wins the Mozzart Bet Cup for the first time ever.They take home KES. 2 million and will also play in the CAF Confederation Cup.#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/qiT1VzmbN4— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) June 29, 2024 Match ReportIt was not the most pleasing of starts for both sides as they failed to get a firm grip of proceedings in the first half.The slight resemblance of order – or intent for that matter – was a spurt of KCB foray that resulted in a Philemon Nyakwaka header over the bar, while Haniff Wesonga could only direct his effort from a corner agonisingly wide.Aside from that, was the constant shadow of Herit Mungai keeping up with a quick Alvin Mang’eni on the right side – the Kenya Police man finding it difficult to thread in crosses to a red shirt inside the box.Of note, however, was an early change by Salim Babu, as left back Brian Okoth limped off for Aboud Omar after 29 minutes.A better showing in the second half would’ve been the call by those gathered, but they responded with – more of the same.The fact that it took a scuffed effort by Clinton Kinanga to get the crowd going was itself telling, especially with the industrious Collins Neto doing less though afforded all the space and time on the right side of attack.🏆 Police FC or KCB FC?#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/cXaqvK9Wn9— Moraa Times (@officialMoraaT) June 29, 2024 As the game entered the last 10 minutes of regular time, Kenya Police, with new entrants Kenneth Muguna, Tyson Otieno and Marvin Nabwire, looked the more likelier to score, but not past Farouk Shikalo.The two-time cup champion expertly kept out an Omar freekick from the corner, before calmy palming a Muguna direct freekick to the ground.On to extra time then, for the desired separator.The response this time was still: more of the same, but could have been entirely different had Omar, with two chances – one on the acute angle and the other a direct freekick – hit the target rather than blasting them way over the bar.Perhaps given a chance, the players would have trashed the last 15 minutes of this contest, with both teams seemingly content on settling the tie the hard way.Onyango confident Gor Mahia is ripe for CAF Champions League challenge
