Gor Mahia edged Ugandan side Kitara in a tense 9-8 penalty shootout during the grand opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya County.
The friendly match marked the inauguration of the state-of-the-art facility, a significant milestone for Kenyan sports infrastructure.
The contest, part of the Luo Piny Festival celebrations, attracted high-profile guests, including Kenyan President William Ruto, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, African Union Commission chairperson candidate Raila Odinga, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Both teams brought their A-game, with Gor Mahia fielding several national team players, including Alphonce Omija, Rooney Onyango, Sylvester Owino, and Austin Odhiambo.
Despite an energetic start and multiple attempts from both sides, the match ended goalless after regulation time.
The penalty shootout was a spectacle, with all 22 players stepping up to take their kicks.
Gor Mahia’s Alpha Onyango, Levin Odhiambo, and Austin Odhiambo initially converted their penalties, while Omija and Rooney Onyango missed.
Kitara matched Gor Mahia’s efforts with successful strikes from Solomon Okwalinga, Patrick Kaddu, and David Ndihabwe, but Marvin Nyanzi and Ronald Otti failed to convert, pushing the shootout into sudden death.
In the decisive moments, Gor Mahia’s Musa Masika, Shariff Musa, Paul Ochuoga, and Sylvester Owino scored, keeping pace with Kitara’s precision.
The match was finally settled when Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews coolly slotted his penalty before Kitara’s Chrispus Kusima struck the post, sealing a dramatic victory for the Kenyan side.
The electrifying climax saw jubilant Gor Mahia fans invade the pitch in celebration even before the final whistle was blown.
