Nairobi Ladies’ Teams Knocked Out as Murhanda, Kisumu Lakers Set ‘Mashemeji’ Derby Battle

Isaiah Abwar of Kitale Youth (right) competes for the ball with Shallvin Gunter of Kisumu Lakers

The COPA Coca-Cola ladies’ national title will change hands this year after defending champions, Nairobi, saw its representatives knocked out at the group stage level.

The two Nairobi teams Kibra Queens and last year’s runners up, Beijing Raiders crushed out after the former lost all their matches while the latter were beaten to second spot by Rift Valley’s Cherangany Starlets as the proverbial village cocks proved they could, after all, crow in the capital.

Beijing could have secured a slot in the last four had they drawn or beaten Shinyalu Girls but the Western side were ruthless scoring a goal either side of the half in a 2-0 win. Lavenda Murumwa pounded in Shinyalu’s first early in the first half with Janet Nalisi drilling home the second after shaking off her markers.

The humbling defeat sent Beijing parking with the team’s coach, Mark Okwiri ruing his team’s missed chances towards the death. Shinyalu finished top of the group with 7 points, two ahead of Cherangany with Beijing a point further adrift. Kibra finished bottom with zero points and goals.

Shinyalu and Cherangany will clash with either Eastern side Kirindara and Nyamira ladies in the semis to determine who will qualify for the finals set for Saturday at the City Stadium.

Already eliminated Mombasa Starlets won 1-0 against Maragwa Queens, Emma Ongayo with the winner for the Coastal side.

Kitale Youth outwitted Kisumu Lakers in a 2-0 win which saw them finish top of Group ‘A’ with maximum points. Kennedy Mwendwa’s fine strike in the opening minutes put the Rift side ahead with Elly Saenyi finding the second midway into the second interval. Both teams however qualified with Lakers setting a date with Murhanda in the semis in what has been billed as a mini ‘Mashemeji’ derby.

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