Five Memorable SportPesa Cup Quarterfinal Moments

25th January 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

First stage of the third edition of the knockout tournament provided a record amount of goals and drama filled matches

I'M THE MAN: Kariobangi Sharks FC striker, Duke Abuya celebrates his goal against Yanga SC in the quarterfinals of the 2019 SportPesa Cup on Tuesday, January 22, 2018. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

Before the 2019 SP Cup, few outside Tanzania had ever heard of Mbao FC, a team that has gained a reputation at home for disturbing the established order hence their nickname Wabishi (disruptive)
Despite being held on working days, a sizeable crowd with most rooting for Dart titans and sworn enemies, Simba and Yanga, trooped to the 60,000-seater National Main Stadium to witness the action unfold
Singida were well on course of achieving their aim to send the game to penalties until the 68th when the retreating Boniface Maganga handled the ball in the box

DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania- The quarterfinals of the 2019 SportPesa (SP) Cup threw up a cocktail of stunning goals, rich drama and monumental upsets that saw Tanzania and Kenya send two teams apiece to the semi finals.

The four high-octane four matches produced 11 goals, a record high for the tournament established in 2017 where only four found the net in the inaugural edition and seven in last year’s edition at the same stage of the eight team knockout competition.

That was an average of almost three goals per game with only one of the four quarters, the third match of the tournament where champions Gor Mahia FC were dumped out by debutants Mbao FC going to penalties.

And that too was a marathon affair, ending 4-3 in favour of the Tanzanian underdogs where captain Harun Shakava and Shafik Batambuze- who was playing in his third SP Cup with a different team- missing from the spot.

Here, we rate the top five moments the exciting quarterfinals of the 2019 SP Cup.

1. ‘Wabishi’ Mbao end Gor reign

Before the 2019 SP Cup, few outside Tanzania had ever heard of Mbao FC, a team that has gained a reputation at home for disturbing the established order hence their nickname Wabishi (disruptive).

On Wednesday, the team from Mwanza made a name for when they dumped holders and two-time champions Gor from the competition to make history.

Gor took the lead through a Dennis Oliech penalty in what was their 15th goal in the SP Cup and it all seemed the Kenyan giants, who arrived in Dar jaded after a nine hour flight from Doula through Nairobi had done enough to progress to the last four.

But back came Mbao and in the 76th, their industry, effort and bravery was rewarded when Abubakari Ngalema made it 1-1 with a neat turn and low finish inside the box.

Try as they might, Gor could not force a winners as the plucky Tanzanians prevailed in a shootout having become the first team to score against the deposed kings.

2. Shakava and Mwasa: Contrasting tales from the spot

Having been forced to a first penalty shootout of the SP, Gor had a chance to progress when their goalkeeper, Peter Odhiambo, saved a feeble effort from Ibrahim Hashimu giving their long-serving Harun Shakava to make it 4-2 to the holders.

Decked in different coloured boots, orange and yellow, the skipper make a languid walk to the spot before sending another weak penalty that was easily gathered by Mbao keeper.

Hamimu Abdikarim stepped up to make it 3-3 and when Batambuze stepped up, his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

Mbao skipper David Mwasa then showed his fellow captain what should be done to beat Odhiambo to make it 4-3 to his team and complete an improbable upset.

3. Double, double goal portions

Kagere was the first ever player in the history of the SP Cup to score a double when his brace sunk Jang’ombe Boys of Zanzibar on June 6, 2017 at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar during the quarterfinals of the inaugural edition.

PERFECT BALANCE: An acrobat entertains fans during the quarterfinals of the 2019 SportPesa Cup. PHOTO/SPN

On June 3, 2018, Allan Wanga of Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz FC scored twice in the first half in their 3-1 victory of Dar giants, Yanga SC once more in the quarters.

Four days later, that man Kagere again hit a double as Gor dismissed Singida 2-0 in the semis.

It took the opening of the third edition and one game to boot for two players, Duke Abuya of Kariobangi Sharks FC and Amisi Tambwe of Yanga to score a brace apiece in a five-goal thriller that ended 3-2 in favour of the Kenyans.

Incidentally, Tambwe who scored twice in the last seven minutes of the match came on as a second half substitute.

4. Ice cool Wadri beats the heats as Bandari prosper

Should Bandari lift the trophy on their debut in the tournament, they will have Uganda midfielder, William Wadri, to thank for keeping a cool head under pressure and intense heat.

The Kenyan side who finished second in the 2018 SportPesa Premier League faced a Singida side that had nothing to lose and under a new coach, Dragan Popadic who set them up to defend, defend and defend more.

Their goalkeeper, Said Lubawa, contributed to the drama with his theatrical performance where he went down and stayed on the deck at almost every touch.

Singida were well on course of achieving their aim to send the game to penalties until the 68th when the retreating Boniface Maganga handled the ball in the box.

The home players surrounded the referee as the catcalls grew in the stands but all this time, Ugandan Wadri who had the ball looked down, blocking himself from the din.

And when he stepped up, he sent Lubawa the wrong way for a priceless goal.

His coach, Bernard Mwalala could not emphasise enough the importance when he remarked, “We escaped the trap.”

5. Festival of football meets colour

Despite being held on working days, a sizeable crowd with most rooting for Dart titans and sworn enemies, Simba and Yanga, trooped to the 60,000-seater National Main Stadium to witness the action unfold.

With a nominal entry fee of TSh2000 (approximately KSh100) the matches of international calibre were affordable for most locals and they did not disappoint.

Curiously, Simba fans were rooting for Sharks when they played Yanga on Tuesday with the Kenyan outfit that was playing for their first in Tanzania inspired by the borrowed support to rip through the Tanzania league leaders.

SEA OF RED: Simba SC supporters do their thing at the National Main Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania as their team played AFC Leopards SC in the quarterfinals of the 2019 SportPesa Cup. PHOTO/SPN

The next day, AFC Leopards SC had the Simba fans in their corner but the support did not inspire them to prevent a 1-2 loss. Yanga and Simba fans, who do not literary see eye to eye then joined to back Mbao and the roar that went up the stadium when the minnows toppled the crown-holders was something to remember.