NAKURU, Kenya, June 8 (Xinhua) -- British head coach, Dylan Kerr had made it public he fancied a final between his current side Gor Mahia FC against his former employers Simba SC in the Super Cup, a eight-team invitational tournament in Africa.
After two contrasting semifinals, Kerr met his wish as his side Gor Mahia, the Kenyan league winners, silenced Singida United FC 2-0 inn a rain-swept Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, while Tanzanian title holders Simba SC toiled to a 0-0 draw before surviving a tense shootout against SPL side Kakamega Homeboyz 5-4 on penalties on Thursday.
"We were great right from the kickoff, lots of chances as well and we are happy with the win. A great result for the boys and I'm very proud of them," said Kerr, who opened his Gor Mahia reign with a 2-1 loss to Everton in Dar-es-Salaam last year.
Gor Mahia are close to retain the Super Cup and grab the chance to play English Premier League side Everton FC in Britain again if they can maintain their momentum in Sunday's final at the same venue.
Kerr has unfinished business with Simba SC, the side he joined in 2015 as head coach and led them to a top three finish only to leave after a season to become an coach at the under-18 academy in Chesterfield in his native England.
Gor Mahia plucked him from Chesterfield and on July 5, 2017 was confirmed as the new head coach of the Kenyan giants and after the Everton defeat, he led the side to claim their record 16th domestic crown.
"The final will be a great game and I'm glad the fans came out today (Thursday) despite the rain and I urge them all to come on Sunday. We have to keep believing and playing good football. I like our attitude and desire throughout the tournament," he added.
While others have stuttered and flattered to deceive, Kerr's charges have sunk five goals and conceded none, continuing an imperious record in the Super Cup that now on its second edition.
"We did the best we could against the Kenyan champions. We should have created more chances but that's the game of football and we just have to accept it," beaten Singida coach, Suleiman Hemed conceded.
Simba, who are yet to concede in the 2018 edition are next in the firing line and on paper at least, will need all their bank-vault like defense to withstand its severest test yet to loosen Gor's grip on the Super Cup and mug the favorites on their home turf.
The final slated for Sunday will be preceded by the bronze medal match between Singida and Homeboyz, the losing semifinalists where the winners will pocket 7,500 U.S. dollars and the beaten team will take home 5,000 U.S. dollars.
Besides the Everton game, the eventual Super Cup champions will nail 30,000 dollars in cash and their captain will lift the gleaming golden trophy.
