JMJ Academy Begin their COPA Coca-Cola Title Defence Unconvincingly

Reigning COPA Coca-Cola national champions, JMJ Academy, began their title defence in an unconvincing fashion after they failed to collect maximum points from their opening matches played over the Easter weekend. 

JMJ were held to a frustrating barren draw in their first match against debutants Victoria Sports who sucked in constant pressure from the off but were able to keep the champions at bay until the final whistle. In their second encounter, the Mountain View-based side looked to be settling for another draw against Peilko Academy but Duncan Kectemes struck in the second half to help them secure a nervy 1-0 win.

Kibera All Stars took an early lead in the group after they registered 2-0 wins over Peliko and Victoria Sports. Geoffrey Karanja and Nicholas Omondi both netted for Kibera in their match against Peliko while Lucas Maina and Antony Munene were the scorers in their second clash against Victoria as Silas Wangombe’s young lads collected maximum points. The only other boys’ match on the day saw Mainstream and Young Salumbe settle for a barren draw.

In the girls’ matches, last year’s losing finalists, Beijing Girls were ruthless in their match against newcomers Kabagale Girls who soaked in five goals without reply. Sheila Kwisi and Catherine Adhiambo both netted a brace for Beijing before Nancy Awuor completed the 5-0 rout in matches played in Woodley Grounds.

In Upper Eastern Branch, giants, Taqwa Academy began their campaign with a 5-0 demolition job of Mecese Youth. Hussein Salahudin opened the floodgates for Taqwa in the 20th minute and Jamal Mohammed also netted at the half hour mark to set the stage for Farah Abdi who completed the rout with a hat-trick. 

Green Santos battered Buyoti 3-0, Emerson Mugendi with a hat-trick but they could not go past Mali Tatu Young Stars who piped them 1-0 courtesy of a Ronney Mwendwa goal in the 46th minute.

Ramadhan Adan netted a goal either side of Yusuf Udheifa’s 16th minute strike to help Isiolo United secure a 3-0 win over Buyoti.

The games continue this weekend across the country.

Collated Results

North Eastern
Young Muslims 5 0 Jaribu Primary

Garissa Pry 1 1 Wamu

Berlin FC 1 1 Garissa Township

Iftin FC 3 3 White Eagles

Northwest Rift Branch
Saboti Youth 1 1 Kapenguria Boys

Kitale Youth 2 1 Cheranganyi Boys

Elimu FC 0 0 Namanjalala

Kapenguria 2 0 Elimu FC

Namanjalala 1 0 Saboti Youth

Girls

Kitale Youth 1 0 Cheranganyi
Kitale Young Starlets 2 0 Kiminini Girls

And That's thesteifmastertake!!