courtesy of goal.com<\/p>\n
Thika, who are the defending champions, will now take on Mathare United in their second match of the competition at the same venue on Wednesday<\/p>\n
Thika United head coach John Kamau has encouraged the teams\u2019 U-19 squad currently under coach Moses Irungu to stay focused after edging out Gor Mahia 1-0 at City Stadium on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am glad with the development of both the team and my deputy coach Irungu in the way the team is developing and my advice to the young lads is to have some positive fun in this tournament.<\/p>\n
I have urged them not to over pressurize themselves with the defending champions stigma, but rather play football to the fullest and the rest will align itself,\u201d Kamau told the club\u2019s official website.<\/p>\n
Thika, who are the defending champions, scored through Hector Mbunde in the 42nd minute of the closely fought match, and will now qualify for the quarter-finals if they stop Mathare United in their second match at the same venue on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia fielded a side comprising of FISA Academy players. Thika\u2019s charges were led by senior team players John Nairuka, Jackson Machariah and Antony Gicho.<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia had the early chances of the game and they had a great chance to open the scores in the 36th minute, Evans Amimo\u2019s header coming off the bar. Thika United\u2019s defense was found flat footed by George Otieno\u2019s cross and they were lucky Brian Chege failed to guide the ball home from the rebound.<\/p>\n
Thika took their chance seven minutes later, Hector Mbunde making the most of Badi Baraka\u2019s ball to slot past Ezekiel Onyango in Gor Mahia\u2019s goal. Going into the second half, Thika never relented the attacks and in the 53rd minute, Onyango was forced to a full stretch save to deny Michael Omach.<\/p>\n