Adukwaw's strike fire Gor Mahia to victory over Bandari at Mbaraki

The decisive goal came in the second half from substitute Ebenezer Adukwaw, who struck a stunning free kick from 35 yards in the 64th minute, beating Bandari goalkeeper Levis Opiyo to seal the victory for Gor Mahia.

The match kicked off with Bandari FC showing early dominance. Just five minutes in, Abdallah Hassan delivered a curling corner kick that forced Gor keeper Kevin Omondi into a save, resulting in another corner.

Gor Mahia responded in the 20th minute when defender Joash Onyango fired a shot after a defensive mix-up in Bandari's backline, but his effort grazed the side post.

Much of the remaining first half was a midfield battle, with neither side able to find the net before the break, heading into halftime at 0-0.

Bandari missed a golden opportunity in the 52nd minute when defender Andrew Juma headed over the bar after meeting a well-placed free kick from William Wadri.

Twelve minutes later, Adukwaw's long-range free kick made the difference, earning Gor Mahia their first trophy of the season.

Speaking after the match, Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor praised his team's performance, especially considering they were missing over five key players who are away on national duty.

“This is our first trophy of the season and I’m happy. What excites me even more is that the player who scored wasn’t involved in our last two league matches. That shows we have depth in the squad,” said Akonnor.

On the other hand, Bandari FC trainer Yusuf Dere remained proud of his team despite the loss.

“Our players gave everything. We made major changes after analyzing data from the semi-final, which showed some players were overworked. I believe the team still delivered,” said Dere.

In the third-place playoff, Shabana FC secured a 1-0 win over AFC Leopards, with Erick Otieno scoring the only goal in the 15th minute.

Prize money & awards

• Gor Mahia: Trophy, medals, and KSh 1 million

The tournament was graced by several top leaders, including ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, among others.