Gor Mahia set up dream FKF Cup final with rivals AFC Leopards

Gad Matthews continued his penalty heroics, saving one as Gor Mahia edged out Bidco United 4-1 on post match penalties after playing to a one-all draw in regular time to confirm a Mashemeji derby in the final of 2020/2021 FKF Cup.

The FKF Cup semifinal could not be decided on regular time and had to go to penalties.

Kenneth Muguna opened the scoring just four minutes into the game with a well taken free-kick after Alpha Onyango had been brought down just outside the box. Both Muguna and Clifton Miheso stood behind the ball and the goalkeeper might have been fooled by the position of that free-kick, perhaps thinking it was ideal for the left-footed Miheso. 

Bidco equalized in the 19th minute, with David Orem tapping in a Stephen Waruru flick past a helpless Gad Matthews. That goal brought confidence to Bidco who grew more comfortable on the ball while it destabilized Gor. Bidco's tactician Anthony Akhulia noted that his boys played well despite the results.

'We played so well. We were down in the 4th minute but we came back. Playing Gor Mahia is not easy. When you go to penalties it can go either way. We now go back to the league and prepare for KCB,' Akhulia said.

Gor Mahia's Vaz Pinto acknowledged that playing Bidco was hard. 'It was hard. We knew they were a difficult team before the game. 'We scored early in the first half and had many chances but they equalized. We are happy we are in the finals,' Pinto said.

Twenty eight minutes into the game, Bidco had the chance to take the lead from a Zachary Gathu shot but Gad parried it away. Once the referee signified for halftime, Bidco's tactician Anthony Akhulia sat with his technical team to strategize on how to tackle the second half. 

Bidco were dealt a blow in the 56th minute following the injury of their midfield general Jacob Onyango whom Akhulia replaced with Nelson Chieta. Four minutes later, Gor made their first change bringing in John Macharia for Karim Abdoul who had failed to tick like he did against Kariobangi Sharks in the quarterfinal.

With 25 minutes left to play, and chasing a win, Gor Mahia's Vaz Pinto made his second substitution resting Andrew Juma for Sammy Onyango, tweaking the formation in the process.Bidco we dealt yet another blow after left back Geoffrey Gitau came off injured and was replaced by Lambert Oyuga.

In the 85th minute, Akhulia made a double change bringing in Steven Okiro and Bhatts Awita for Stephen Waruru and Alex Juma. Gor Mahia were reduced to ten men with four minutes to play after Philemon Otieno was given his marching orders for retaliation. 

With the tension brewing in the game, and with Ernest Wendo already on the spotlight, Pinto rested the combative midfielder for Sydney Ochieng'.Alpha Onyango, Clifton Miheso, John Macharia and Sammy Onyango all scored their penalties for Gor Mahia.Anthony Simasi scored while Zachary Gathu and David Orem missed for Bidco.