Vihiga County boys' team are through to the semifinals of the Talanta Hela Under-19 football tournament after surmounting a vicious challenge to beat West Pokot 5-4 on post-match penalties at Nyayo stadium on Friday.
The match was settled by penalties after the teams played out to a draw in an eight-goal thriller that saw West Pokot rally from behind a record four times.
Austin Odongo was the toast for Vihiga, netting four goals in regulation time and a penalty in a post-match nervy shootout.
Simiyu Instime scored a hat-trick for West Pokot with Glen Otieno securing the fourth for his resilient team to push the hotly-contested encounter into penalties.
Austin Odongo, David Oketch, Emmanuel Adunga, Allan Litwaka, and Ochieng Terena scored the post-match penalties for Vihiga with Simiyu, Reagan Kisambo, Brighton Wanjala, Evans Ruto converting their efforts for West Pokot.
Harun Langat's effort hit the woodwork. An elated Vihiga head coach Edward Manoa lavished praise on his charges for exhibiting a great character in the match.
"It was a tough encounter and I admire the spirit displayed by the boys in the match against a tough opponent. The penalty shootout could have gone either way," Manoah said.
