Nyakha Hat-trick Powers Ambira to Semi-Finals

Ambira's Nelson Nyakha (left, red) and teammate Rodgers Oyaro fight for the ball against Ainul

Nelson Nyakha hit a hat-trick and set up another to help Ambira advance to the semi-finals of the ongoing COPA Coca-Cola national finals in Kisumu.

The short but stalwart forward was on an imperious form against their opponents Ainul Qamar as he led Ambira’s frontline in the absence of his twin brother Aaron Nyakha who was serving a suspension after being red-carded earlier in the tournament.

Ambira raided their opponent’s goal from the off but had to wait until seven minutes when Nyakha overpowered and dispossessed Ainul’s Sadak Abdirizak in the box before burying the ball past Sheikh Yussuf who was manning the goal for the team from North Eastern. The lone goal brought the first half to an end.

Ambira picked from where they stopped after the interval and lanky forward Rodgers Oyaro extended their lead just five minutes into the second half, heading Nyakha’s cross above the head of Ainul keeper to make it 2-0 to the defending champions.

Rashid Abdiaziz stung Ambira keeper Abdul Jalin’s palms with a low drive five minutes later before Nyakha scored his second with a delightful volley to make it 3-0 and put the result beyond doubt.

Ainul simply had no answer to Ambira’s play and were dominated in all areas of the field. Naykha completed his hat-trick five minutes before the final whistle when hit a shot that Ainul substitute keeper Abdirizak Hassan palmed into his own net.

In another quarterfinal match, Festus Sigei’s first half goal was enough to send Mombwo into the semis at the expense of Gituru High from Central Province. Nairobi’s JMJ Academy registered their first goals in the tournament, giving Lasalle Youth a 3-2 hiding.

Louis Misiko opened the account for the Academy side heading James Muoni’s cross into the net in the 23^rd minute. Misiko doubled their lead five minutes after the break and diminutive Musa Wanyama completed the rout after some good tiki-taka with Antony Miano. Lasalle got a consolation goal through Victor Mwangi who now leads the scoring chart with five goals.

In the fourth quarterfinal, Chavakali survived a late comeback scare from Mombasa United to qualify for the semis with a 2-1 win. Ayumba Ronny scored both goals for Chavakali in the first half while Hasan Mohammed got the consolation for Mombasa.

Mombasa players caused a fracas after the match and tried to beat up the referee but the security team were able to restore order.

The teams take a break on Friday and will be back on the field for the semis on Saturday. Ambira will meet JMJ Academy for the second time after the teams had met in the group stages, while Chavakali will square it off with Rift Valley’s Mombwo.

And That's thesteifmastertake!!