It was end of the road from Tusker FC after Sofapaka scored the second goal from Machakos stadium to change the score line to 1-2 and edge out the 2016 FKF cup winner in the quarterfinals played from Machakos Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday afernoon.
Tusker FC has had a good run in the shield having scored Taita Taveta 7-0 in Wundanyi, travelled further to the coast and scored Bandari FC 1-2 then Narok where they played Bungoma superstars to a 1-0 margin.
Second half substitute Ezekiel Okare netted the winner for Sofapaka in the 75th minute meaning Tusker could not reach the semifinal.
Patrick Matasi was back in goal and David Juma to start in attack.
Tusker got to the back of the net first with Jackson Macharia’s well executed finish after a nice pass from Boniface Muchiri. Minutes later, miscommunication between the defense line and the goalkeeper saw Kevin Kimani’s free kick take land on Umar Kasumba who found a loose ball and headed it straight into the net.
The second half started with more or less both sides struggling to get into each other’s half resulting in the ball possession being majorly in the midfield.
In the 75th minute, Sofapaka was awarded a corner take which Okare headed it inside the net doubling their advantage and coming close to semifinals. Tusker started to move forward and adding numbers in front with Coach Robert Matano making changes introducing John Kamau and Sydney Ochieng for Boniface Muchiri and David Juma respectively.
The pressure on the defense side reduced a little while Sydney Ochieng terrorizing the away team’s half. In the 85th minute Sydney had an opportunity to equalize scores with a well calculated header but Kigonya got off his line to take the ball and deny him what could be a game changer.
Tusker continued to push for a goal until the last minute but it was not see. The game ended at 1-2 and Tusker knocked out of the shield tournament.
Getting out of the tournament, Muchiri Boniface and Jackson Macharia come out with three goals each whilst Brian Osumba, Robert Achema, Michael Khamati and Peter Nzuki having one goal each.