Nyundo FC secured their place in the semi-finals of the Sisi Ni Dola Cup after a tense 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Nabadda FC. The quarter-final match, held on Thursday, August 6, ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time, necessitating the dramatic conclusion from the penalty spot. The match began with Nyundo FC taking an early lead, thanks to Joash Ndela, who converted a penalty in the 4th minute. However, their advantage was short-lived as Nabadda FC equalized 17 minutes later through an unfortunate own goal by Ahmed Mohamed.
Throughout the match, both teams had opportunities to secure a win in regular time. Under the guidance of coach Swaleh Abdalla, Nyundo FC created several promising chances but struggled to find the back of the net. On the other hand, Nabadda FC found themselves repeatedly thwarted by Nyundo's goalkeeper, Francis Katana, whose outstanding performance was pivotal in the outcome of the game. Katana's heroics continued into the penalty shootout, where he made crucial saves that ultimately sent Nyundo FC through to the semi-finals.
After the match, Katana expressed his preparedness and confidence in facing penalties. "I was prepared psychologically to save penalties. I have been training for it and it has borne fruits," he stated. Katana, who is also a player for Bandari Youth, emphasized the importance of mentality in such high-pressure situations. "We knew it would come down to mentality. The boys kept fighting and I am proud of how we responded," he added.
Coach Swaleh Abdalla, reflecting on the hard-fought victory, stated that the team's focus now shifts to the upcoming semi-finals as they aim for the Ksh1 million grand prize. "It has been tough. We are not hitting training camp immediately to prepare for our semi-final match. We know it’s not easy but we will prove our opponents wrong," Abdalla asserted.
The Sisi Ni Dola Cup, a five-week tournament sponsored by Dola Group, offers a lucrative reward for the winners, with the champions set to receive Ksh1 million. As the tournament progresses, the next quarter-final match will see Mombasa Sports Club FC face off against Alshifaa Media FC on Friday evening. The competition continues to capture the attention of football enthusiasts, with teams vying for glory and the substantial prize money.
