It’s never easy playing on hostile ground away from home, let along on a bumpy surface and up
against questionable refereeing.
But Kuta Collections FC nonetheless made it through to the Round of 32 in the Mozzart Bet Cup
after eliminating National Division One League side Al-Azizia FC 6-5 on post-match penalties in a
mid-week match at the Kinoru Stadium, Meru, on Wednesday.
The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate after Kuta Collections FC had taken an early, two-goal lead
through Luke Namanda and Patrick Ngunyi with Melvin Muthomi pulling one back before
Zacharia Tisa drew the match level from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of added time
after Boaz Maeri handled in the box.
Kuta Collections won the penalty shootout 6-5 with Robinson Asenwa, Patrick Ngunyi, Bryan
Tobiko, Eric Mwaura, Giovanni Moses and Boaz Maeri scoring their spot kicks while Levy
Shionanya and goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor had their shots blocked by Al-Azizia goalkeeper
Patrick “Mendy” Oduor.
Al-Azizia scored their spot kicks through Zacharia Tisa, Elvis Aromana, Kennedy Mboga, Simba
Kundu and Melvin Muthomi while Alfred Bukala rammed his kick against the upright as Kuta
Collections’ ‘keeper Oduor saved from Frank Hope and Morris Njeru.
The first half at the barren, uneven Kinoru stadium was goalless with Kuta Collections,
comprising of a blend of experienced, unattached players and youngsters, came in forcefully in
the second half to take a 2-0 lead.
Luke Namanda tore through the right side of Al-Azizia’s defence and released a hard shot that
beat Oduor in goal just after the 75 th minute cooling break.
Patrick Ngunyi then made it 2-0 after terrorizing Al-Azizia’s left back with a deft turn and snap
shot that again caught Oduor napping in the 80 th minute.
Al-Azizia fought back and levelled when Melvin Muthomi side-footed into the roof of the Kuta
Collections net through a forest of players before the home team were awarded a penalty after
Boaz Maeri handled in the box long after the six added on minutes had expired with Zacharia
Tisa slotting home to throw the match into penalty kicks which Kuta Collections FC won 6-5.
“It was a tough test for us as we don’t play in any league and rely on friendly matches to stay
fit. This victory is a testament to the potential we have and we are now looking forward to the
draw for the round of 32,” Kuta Collections FC player Augustine Kuta said after the game.
“It was a tough match… we let a 2-0 lead slip through our hands but we fought on according to
instructions from the technical bench. We shall rectify our mistakes in the next match,” Kuta
Collections FC captain Morgan Oduor remarked.
“It was not easy because we have just come on board and this is our second match as a
technical bench. We shall build from this as we have a great team at Al-Azizia,” Al-Azizia’s new
coach and Gor Mahia FC legend Moses “Dube” Odhiambo remarked.
Saturday’s match between hosts Donholm Seniors and hosts Bumbani Stars in Kwale and the
fixture between Nairobi United and L-15 FC are the only Round of 64 fixtures yet to be played.
All photos: EUGENE AGOGOH
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