Black Cats, Tharaka Reign Supreme as Teams Book COPA Coca-Cola Provincial Finals Slots

Last year’s COPA Coca-Cola national finalists, Black Cats, proved why they remain the team to beat in Eastern region after they easily made their way to the provincial finals this weekend.

Cats held a three point lead heading into the critical weekend matches which had Tharaka Young Stars and Black Stars hot on their heels. However, the Sammy Githinji led side proved a class above the rest winning both their matches to finish top on maximum points. 

Two second half goals from Wilson Nduati and Alex Mukundi saw them claim an easy 2-0 win over Embu Youth before they swept aside Kavengero Juniors 3-0, Antony Macharia’s second half goal completing the rout which started with Dennis Murimi’s first half brace. The two wins saw Cats finish on maximum points and custodian Newto Njue keep a clean sheet in all the five matches.

Tharaka grabbed the other remaining slot after their nervy 2-1 win over Maara United Boys saw them relegate Black Stars to third place, Kevin Mugendi netting both goals. Stars painfully crashed out even after registering the biggest scoreline of the day, a 6-2 mauling of Kavengero in a highly entertaining end to end game. A 2-1 win over Embu Youth did little to save their course.

In the ladies’ matches, Tharaka Starlets scored a first half penalty to beat Muminji Starlets by a solitary goal to nil but both teams advanced to the provincial finals set for early next month.

Defending champions, JMJ Academy, also qualified for the provincials after sharing a barren draw with Kibera All Sports. Both teams advanced with Kibera leading the standings. Beijing Girls and Kibra League Queens qualified from the ladies' category after beating Vapour Girls and Kabagale Girls 2-0 and 4-0 respectively. 

Murhanda Youth and Bulimbo Boys qualified from Western branch alongside Ebusiloli Girls and Ibinda Girls. 

Collated Results

Western
Murhanda 0 0 Bulimbo
Shinyalu 4 0 Ebusiloli
Busia Olympic 2 0 Muungano
Gladrab 2 2 Busia Olympic
Gladrab 3 1 Ebulonga
Muungano 3 1 Ebulonga

Girls
Ibinda 2 0 Buluma


Central RiftGunners 0 0 Flamingo Youth
Kabarnet Youth 0 0 Koibatek Youth
Naivasha Youth 1 1 Boca Juniors
Flamingo Youth 3 1 Koibatek
Gunners 1 0 Kabarnet Youth



Girls
Site FC Naivash 2 0 Nakuru Starlets

Ravine Ladies 2 0 Eva Star Ladies

NorthwesternKitale Youth 2 0 Elimu
Saboti 1 0 Kitale Youth
Cherangani 3 1 Saboti Youth

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

And That's thesteifmastertake!!