Ambira are the 2011 COPA Coca-Cola Champions

Ambira's Nelson Nyakha tussles for the ball with Chavakali's Alufwani during the COPA finals

Nyanza’s Ambira High successfully defended the COPA Coca-Cola title after beating Chavakali 2-0 in the finals played at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Stadium.

The win for Ambira ended the week-long tourney which has seen 9-teams participate for the coveted title. The two teams were meeting for the second time in the tournament after squaring off in the opening match which Ambira won 3-0.

Any thoughts of a win for Chavakali were somewhat extinguished when Ambira coach George Owoko fielded a strong team which included danger man Rodgers Oyaro and twin whizkids Nelson and Aaron Nyakha in either side of the flanks. Captain Bernard Ochieng’ was once again manning the defence.

Ambira’s entry into the slippery field was greeted by loud cheers from the crowd who were not shy to declare which side they were on. And they wasted no chance in wowing the crowd with Oyaro’s aerial presence and the speed of the Nyakha’s consistently troubling the Chavakali defence.

It took the defending champions 18minutes to breach the Chavakali defence when Rodgers Oyaro collected a loose ball before tucking it past a hapless Chavakali keeper George Musale to make it 1-0.

The goal spurred none but Ambira who continued to press for the second as the half wore on. The second half was no different with Chavakali failing to create any clear chances. Ambira on the other side were menacing to say the least and after Nelson Nyakha hit the post in the 54^th minute, he extended his team’s lead five minutes later when he hit a delightful overhead kick which eased past Chavakali keeper to make it 2-0 and give Ambira the win.

It was a triple victory for Ambira who not only won the title but also the best defender and best scorer in the tournament. Dependable defender and captain Bernard Ochieng’ won the best defender award while Rodger Oyaro’s six goals bagged him the topscorer’s award. The two players will head to Chelsea for a 2-week camp together with Gituru’s George Kimani who was named the best infield player.

In the third place playoff, Rift Valley’s Mombwo and Nairobi’s JMJ Academy were involved in a seven-goal thriller with the latter winning 4-3. 

And That's thesteifmastertake!!