Action between Kuwinda 1 and Basel FC during the Abbas Khalif quarterfinal encounter at Nairobi West Prison Grounds on Thursday/ HANDOUTKuwinda
1 have switched their full focus to Tuesday afternoon’s semifinal
against Step City, arriving in the last four of the Abbas Khalif Super
Cup after a dramatic 2–1 escape against Basel.
Head coach
Paul Kimani said the group has already debriefed and moved on
from the chaos that marked their quarterfinal at the Nairobi West Prison
Grounds. He stressed that Tuesday’s tie demands cleaner decision-making
and tighter structure.
“We
have addressed what happened. We cannot repeat it,” Kimani said. “The
boys fought with heart, but discipline must match effort. Step City are
organised, they transition well, and they won’t forgive mistakes. Our
job now is to prepare properly and keep our composure.”
Kuwinda 1’s
opener came from a controlled move down the right that sliced through
the Basel backline before a low finish settled the early tension.
But
within minutes, the match flipped. The scorer’s
extended celebration earned him a booking; five minutes later, a late
tackle brought a second yellow card.
Basel
equalised from the resulting free kick. But during the celebrations, a confrontation ensued and led referee Ronald Kakai to produce a straight red against a
second Kuwinda 1 player.
Reduced to nine before halftime, the Karen
side was forced into a full tactical retreat.
Basel
registered seven second-half attempts inside the box but found no
breakthrough against a disciplined defensive block anchored by
centre-back Kevin “Kajo” Muasya.
But the biggest moment belonged to tournament top scorer John Wambua, who has now scored five goals in four matches.
With
Basel pushing numbers forward, Wambua reacted first to a loose ball
inside the area and nudged home the winner, sealing “the most improbable result of the tournament so far.”
The
Karen bench erupted, fully aware that the victory kept alive their
chase for the highly valued 33-seater matatu that awaits the champions.
Attention
now turns to Step City, who booked their spot after edging Kuwinda
United 4–3 on penalties following a tense, barren draw.
Kimani remained measured.
“We’re
one match from the final. The incentives are huge, but we must stay
grounded. Step City are not here by accident. We’ll review their
quarterfinal, tighten our organisation and compete with maturity," he said.
This
year’s prize package — a 33-seater matatu for the champions, a
14-seater for the runners-up, and a sedan for third place — is sponsored
by South C Ward MCA Abbas “Omondi” Khalif.
Akiba will play South C Rangers in the second semifinal.
