Brovin Wafula came off the bench to score a winning goal as GFE 105 came from a goal down to defeat CUSCO in the FKF National Division Two Western Zone B played at the Eldoret ASK ground today.
In the fight of the bragging rights in the Eldoret derby, former National Super league side Global Field Evangelism (GFE) conceded in the first half contested goal but recovered in the second half to win the match 1-2 against their hosts, the Cambridge Universal College (CUSCO).
Fidel Omondo’s 34th minute goal with his left foot shot was contested by the evangelists that it was a side-netting but the ball had crossed the line through a torn net but centre referee had already whistled for a goal.
The ball challenged 105 custodian Sammy Kamunya that was heavily contested by both players and technical bench but it was counted as students led 1-0 into break.
On restart, 105’s James Kinyanjui leveled the score from a right footed shot from the edge of the box, capitalizing on Cusco’s keeper Briazon Asana rebound to fire into his right corner before Brovin Wafula, coming off from the bench to seal the victory for GFE in the 88th minute.
Wafula dribbled the ball from the centre-line and his right foot shot hit the roof Asana’s net for a 2-1 win.
In the first half, Keith Digro first shot on the target was saved by Kamunya for a corner in the 5th minute before David Malama’s shot flew over the bar but on counter attack, Kinyanjui’s shot outside the box flew over the bar.
Cusco pressed on and Silas Ogana, the former student of St Anthony’s Kitale shot was met by Digro who missed the target.
GFE’s Danlami Mohammed almost scored from a free-kick on the edge of the box when Kevin Mwanzi was fouled on the edge by Julius Abik but his shot hit the cross-bar brushing off the back of Nelson Mandela.
After first water break, Omondi scored the opener after receiving cross from Malama.
Second half belong to GFE who dominated in all departments and within three minutes of restart, Kinuanjui leveled the score.
Digro, on a forward move missed an open chance to give his Cusco side the as his shot counterpart Brian Manaseh.
GFE coach Nicholas Okinyo introduced Wafule, whose results paid off when he scored the winner after ten minutes into the field.
Okinyo said the game was so balanced but poor officiating was exhibited otherwise they could have score more goals.
“These players are friends but we had poor officiating has led us down. In my opinion, that was not the goal. The ball hit side net but because the net is in tarats, it rolled into the goal line and that counted as a goal. We had to concede and play our game that we won fairly,” said Okinyo.
He added that they had initially complained about the poor net but nothing happened.
“We complained on the poor net and that has cost us. It was a bad show but getting three points is a consolation,” added Okinyo.
The opposite coach Patrick Odipo said the match was good despite losing for lack of concentration in the second half.
“We had many chances in the first half but it worked against us in the second half,” said Odipo.
Giving instruction on the touch line with a surgical needle on his left hand, former Mathare United and Sofapaka under 20 coach, Odipo attributed the loss to his six first team players who are injured.
“Am facing a serious challenges with many of my first team players but we are hoping we will win in the next match,” added Odip who won the under 20 title with Mathare united.