Indomitable Dandora and Golden Angles Shine as COPA 2013 Edition Kicks off

Indomitable Dandora and Golden Angels lived up to their names as they dismantled opponents in the COPA 2013 season opening games played at City Stadium in Nairobi.

Indomitable dominated and outscored Kamukunji Stars 5-0 in their first game in the boys’ category while Golden Angels replicating the same scoreline in their match against UEFA Babes. Semata Charles opened the floodgates for Indomitable with a well-taken opener in the 11^th minute before Wilson Imbanyi and Allan Kinyanjui netted in the 22^nd and 24^th minute to see the Dandora side hold a 3-0 lead heading into the interval.

Imbanyi scored his second in the 32^nd minute to put the game beyond Stars’ reach and Lucas Muteti’s 49^th minute goal ensured Indomitable left with three points and a +5 goal difference in the bag.

Golden Angels’ goals were scored by Lilian Bibiana who grabbed a brace while her colleague Elizabeth Katunguas netted the first hat-trick of the COPA 2013 season to give Angels a convincing 5-0 win over their rivals from Umoja.

“I am glad I scored a hat-trick but the most important thing today was a good start which is exactly what we have gotten,” said Katunguas whose pace and trickery overwhelmed a hapless UEFA Babes’ side.

Earlier in the day, Makadara Juniors overpowered Makamu United 3-1 in their first half with Isaac Oduor (penalty), Solomon Mbiti and Tyron Xavier grabbing all the important goals.

In another match, MYSA from Mathare and Goa FC shared a 1-1 draw with both goals coming in the first half. Kariuki Stephen put MYSA ahead but Jeremiah Gathu restored parity for Goa to ensure the game ended in a stalemate. In the last match of the day, Otto Benekcer from Mathare North nicked a 1-0 win over St. Ann’s girls from Makadara.

Meanwhile the curtain raising match between Kenya Sports Journalists and former Harambee Stars ended on a 1-0 win to the ex-internationals. Sammy Okoth grabbed his team the only goal of the match to ensure the former Stars players went home with the coveted trophy and Ksh 20,000. The media team who gave a determined fight especially after the interval went home with Kshs 15,000 and two balls.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted and allowed our opponents to take the lead in the first half,” noted Alex Isaboke, the team’s captain. “We have not been lucky against them in our previous games but we will go back to the drawing board and invite them for a rematch as soon as possible,” added Alex.

The COPA Coca-Cola tournament will be played in a league format with the teams competing in the branch league where they will play one-legged round robin matches. The top two teams will advance to the inter-branch league for yet another round robin matchup, and winners from this level will advance to the national finals. Prizes up for grabs at the finals, which will be held in Nairobi in August, include first place prizes for both the boys and girls teams of Ksh. 500,000 each, second place prizes Ksh. 200,000 each and third place prizes for both girls’ and boys’ teams of Ksh.100, 000 each.

And That's thesteifmastertake!!