By Austin Oduor Otieno in Dar es Salaam,

Kenyan Premier league defending champions Gor Mahia will meet Sudan’s side Al Khartoum in the first semi final of the Cecafa Kagame Cup after beating a hard fighting Al Khartoum today evening at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaa.

Godfrey Walusimbi scored a brace to help his team with the crucial win to progress 2-1 after Al Malakia caused a scare by pulling one back.

Walusimbi tapped in Michael Olunga’s cross from the right side after it earlier missed meddie kagere with just 3 minutes gone before he added the second 23 minutes later scoring from the same position for a Half time lead.
The same half saw Erick Ochieng’s shot get parried away by Malakia custodian kennedy Santolino

On resumption, Gor Mahia slowed down their pace with Olunga and kagere being caught in the offiside many a times.Al Malakia pressed on and their danger man Thomas Jacob’s header hit the bar after Bonface Oluoch seemed to be displaced.They had some few chances at the goal area but Oluoch was up to task.

Al Malakia pulled one back to reduce the deficit with a Thomas Jacob header after a long throw in.The goal motivated the Juba based side who started pressing on. However 2 minutes later Michael Olunga had his shot hit the crossbar with wafula ‘s attempt was parried away by Santolino.

however the Kenyan champions easily sustained the rare pressure from the South Sudanese to win the match 2-1 and a set a semi final date with Al Khartoum SC on Friday afternoon.

Gor Starting XI: 23. Boniface Oluoch, 2. Walusimbi Godfrey, 14. Karim Nizigiyimana, 18. Shakava Harun, 5. Mohammed Musa (C), 3. Sibomana Abouba, 10. Aucho Khalid, 17. Eric Ochieng,(29. Innocent Wafula 46’) 6. Collins Okoth, 22. Kagere Meddie,(25.Odhiambo George 69’) 19. Olunga Michael(30.Ali Abondo,87’)

Subs not used 1. Jerim Onyango, 20. Wendo Ernest, 26. Dirkir Glay, 24. Enock Agwanda

Malakia Starting XI: Kennedy Santolino, David Stephen, Thomas Mathew, Yengo Ngum,(Saddam Peter 71’) Wisely Arasa, Richard Lado [C], Gasim Khamis,( Clement Bedo 47’) Mahnoud Altahir, Ahmed Sani.( Samuel Ssekamate 62’)

Subs not used: Makir Mior, Sebit Oboyi, Gabriel Mayol, , Ibrahim Lado

In an earlier match played today,Al Khartoum of Sudan shocked pre tournament favourites APR with a 4-0 humiliation to proceed to the semis where they have to see off Gor Mahia for the finals.

The two teams had earlier settled for a 1-1 draw in their earlier group match.

Al Khartoum was up in the 10th minute when Atif Khalid scored before Amin Ibrahim added his brace scoring in the 20th and 40th minutes for a first half 3-0 lead.

Osman Bilal Saleh now joint top scorer with Olunga wrapped up the route with his 4th goal of the tournament and Khartoum’s fourth in a day the Rwandan Army side looked pale and lethargic towards goal.

Al Khartoum face Gor Mahia in the first semi final on Friday 31st.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com