Brian Bwire was the toast of the day, blocking three post-match penalties as Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker edged Gor Mahia 8-7 to clinch the FKF Super Cup at Thika Stadium on Wednesday.
Bwire saved two penalties in the first five and one in sudden death to help his side clinch their second major silverware in two months.
But an exasperated Gor Mahia head coach Mark Harrison, however, blamed poor officiating for their loss.
“I don't think we really performed in the game. We struggled to get into any rhythm and the game was also changed by the referee, including the shock decision to award a penalty and sending Shakava out. I mean, he ruined the game,” said Harrison.
Gor were dealt a heavy blow when skipper Harun Shakava was sent for an early shower in the 63rd minute.
“The fact that the players have only trained for 10 days also made it difficult for them to perform," added Harrison.
Tusker's Robert Matano extolled his charges for putting in a brilliant performance.
“It was a good show, especially coming from a new crop of players who've never had the opportunity to don our jersey before,” said Matano.
“Going forward we intend to rotate the squad to give each player an opportunity to gauge himself and adjust accordingly.”
But Gor will rue another missed opportunity to garnish their rich cabinet after the brewers fought back from a goal down to deny them the glory.
The brewers had already made their intentions clear right from the initial whistle. Eight minutes into the encounter Boniface Muchiri floated in an enticing cross into the area but Ojok nodded his header inches wide.
Matano was forced into an early substitution in the 33rd minute after Ojok limped out of play with a hamstring injury to pave way for Tanzanian forward Ibrahim Joshua.
New acquisition Rogers Ouma should have broken the stalemate in the 41st minute but his well-struck volley swang straight into Gad Mathews' hands. Gor's first real chance came in the 44th minute but Ugandan Peter Lwasa scooped his effort wide.
Samwel Onyango gladly stepped up to the spot to fire K'Ogalo ahead in the 53rd minute after a costly howler that saw Bwire sending Benson Omalla tumbling down in the area.
Gor's celebrations were cut short just five minutes later when Ibrahim Joshua leveled matters once more, also from the spot.
None of the teams could create a tangible effort at goal, to send the encounter into a shoot-out.
