It's Sharks vs Bandari II: SportPesa Shield Holders Set Dockers Final Date

12th May 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

Fireworks expected when the SportPesa Cup winners and runners-up clash for domestic trophy

SUMMARY

Holders Kariobangi Sharks FC will play Bandari FC in the 2019 SportPesa Cup final after they sealed their tickets to the decider on Sunday afternoon in contrasting fashion
The final will feature the 2015 and 2017 winners in that order with a ticket to represent Kenya at the second tier CAF Confederations Cup also at stake.
Reliable forward Yema Mwama opened the scoring for Bandari with an easy tap in, two minutes after kick off to give the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) side an early lead against SS Assad

NAIROBI, Kenya- Holders Kariobangi Sharks FC will play Bandari FC in the 2019 SportPesa Cup final after they sealed their tickets to the decider on Sunday afternoon in contrasting fashion.

The match will be a repeat of the 2019 SportPesa Cup final in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania where Sharks prevailed 1-0 on January 27 at the National Stadium in Dar.

The domestic cup holders will appear in a third Shield final in succession after edging fellow SportPesa Premier League side, KCB FC 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos where youngster Ken Machika was the hero by netting the winner. Bandari had earlier ended the cup dream of SS Assad FC in a devastating 6-1 demolition.

The final will feature the 2015 and 2017 winners in that order with a ticket to represent Kenya at the second tier CAF Confederations Cup also at stake.

Revenge will be on the menu for the Dockers after falling to Sharks and missing out on USD30,000 prize money and the right to host Everton FC in Tanzania when the teams vied for the eight-team knockout tournament.

William Muluya's Shield holders will play the English Premier League side on July 7 at the MISC Kasarani in a landmark friendly.

At Kenyatta Stadium, Machika who was making only his second first team start was responsible for the solitary goal scored by Sharks early in the second half, an effort that proved to be enough for the cup holders.

Sharks looked the more experienced team in the game as they dominated proceedings with Duke Abuya getting the first shot on target in the fifth but the keeper was up to the task.

In the 19th minute, Chrispinus Onyango who replaced the injured Dennis Nganga, had a great opportunity to put KCB ahead with a right footed effort but Gad Matthews in the Sharks goal was aware to make the save.

A minute later Martin Nderitu unleashed a fierce right footed effort towards goal which was always rising and did little to trouble the keeper, leaving the score at 0-0.

In the 40th, Nderitu was the one at it again with a snap shot inside the area but it went flying over the bar, neither team able to break the deadlock thus far.

Machika, who scored his debut goal against Mathare in the Slum Derby on Wednesday, almost put Sharks ahead on the stroke of halftime but his effort was blocked by Gabriel Mugabo for a corner.

In the second half, Machika opened the scoring after he forced an error from the KCB back four to give Sharks the lead.

Two minutes later, James Mazembe found Machika with a delightful through ball but the latter failed to connect well with it and his effort went inches wide of the goal.

Sharks coach William Muluya wasn't satisfied with the one goal lead and he brought in another striker in Sydney Lokale in place of Machika on the hour mark.

In the 67th, Vincent Wasambo's shot was blocked for another Sharks corner as the holders continued to press for a second goal.

Former AFC Leopards SC striker Ezekiel Odera replaced Benson Amianda in the 78th minute as the bankers sought a way back into the hotly contested semifinal.

A minute later Harrison Mwendwa went close to doubling Sharks advantage with a right footed effort but his attempt was gathered by Joseph Okoth in the KCB goal.

Sharks held on to the advantage until the final whistle, much to the joy of the fans in attendance who were pleased to be in their fourth final appearance in six months.

Reliable forward Yema Mwama opened the scoring for Bandari with an easy tap in, two minutes after kick off to give the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) side an early lead against SS Assad.

Mwama was on hand to double the dockers advantage two minutes later, already putting the game past the lower tier side.

Darius Msagha made it three in the 14th minute with a header from a Hassan Abdallah cross, Bandari already looking to have one foot in the final.

Hassan then got his name on the score sheet in the 18th minute with a header from a Fred Nkata cross, prompting the Bandari fans in the stands to go into a frenzy.

Substitute Wycliffe Ochomo then latched onto a Msagha lob over the keeper to make it 5-0 to Bandari.

Assad finally pulled one back in the 41st minute after Bandari goalkeeper failed to hang onto a direct free kick and the rebound was headed in to make the score 5-1.

SportPesa Cup Most Valuable Player William Wadri kicked off the second half with as much tenacity as the first ended, scoring a sixth goal for Bandari in the 47th minute.

Chances created in the game became fewer as the game progressed but Bandari continued to be the more superior side throughout the tie.

The referee blew for full time and Bandari cruised into their second final appearance of 2019 after being edged 1-0 by Shield holders Sharks in Dar es Saalam, Tanzania in January.