Leopards, Police FKF Cup semi suspended; KCB through to final

KCB FC will wait a little more to know their opponent in this season’s FKF Cup final, after the second semifinal between AFC Leopards and Police FC was abandoned Sunday evening at the Police Sacco Stadium – Nairobi.

While KCB edged Kariobangi Sharks 4-2 in post-match penalties, the Police – Ingwe match was stopped midway second half after assistant referee Samuel Kuria was hit with an object from the terraces.

After a quick assessment of their security situation, the Kuria and the rest of the match officials walked out of the stadium for their safety, which led to the suspension of the clash for over 15 minutes before the decision to end it was reached.

By the time the game was suspended in the 56th minute, Police FC were leading 1-0, courtesy of Titto Okello’s goal in the seventh minute.

The South Sudan international was unmarked within the Ingwe’s box, and nodded home Kenneth Muguna’s cross from the left, having been set up by Francis Kahata.

It is expected that there will be only 30 minutes for the two sides to decide the second finalist, behind closed gates of the Police Sacco Stadium. The final decision will however be communicated upon review of the report by the match officials, by the relevant federation committee.

Police were in full control of the proceedings throughout the match, and it the Salim Babu’s charges who looked more intentional to find the net again by the time the match was suspended.

In the KCB versus Kariobangi Sharks tie, goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo was the hero – saving two penalties to give the bankers a 4-2 victory on post-match spot kicks at the same venue, in the first semi.

The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw which extended to extra time.

Shikhalo stopped Geoffrey Onyango and Stanley Wilson’s penalties, as Derrick Otanga, Henry Onyango, Danson Chetambe and Henry Ochieng all scored for the bankers.

Sharks’ only two converted spot kicks were by skipper Kevin Luke Otiala and Fredrick Alushula.

KCB broke the deadlock in the 76th minute through substitute Derrick Otanga, but Sharks restored parity just after the restart through Fortune Omotto who tapped into the net from a failed John mark Makwatta’s attempt.

The final is set for  June 8, 2024 -  with a ticket to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup next season up for grabs.