COPA Coca-Cola Trio Find their Footing at Provincial Side, Green Commandoes

L-R: Alfred 'Kemboi' Wekesa, Edwin Mukolwe and Haron 'Gumwili' Nyakha

They competed under a tournament dubbed “The Journey to Stardom” and by the looks of it, their star seems to be shinning already.

Haroun Nyakha, Edwin Mukolwe and Alfred Wekesa are three teenagers who share many things in common. They are not only in the same school, same class and are of the same age but their career seems to be heading in the same direction, at least as far as football is concerned.

The trio are members of last year’s COPA Coca-Cola contingent who starred for Kenya in South Africa helping the team finish in a respectable 4^th position, beating the likes of Uganda and Nigeria, and this they did having barely trained together.

Their exploits in the Rainbow Nation did not go unnoticed as immediately after traveling back, the trio were handed an opportunity to play for Kakamega High School based Green Commandoes who play in the Western Provincial Zone A league. The team currently lies 5^th on the log with 15 points, 4 adrift of second-placed Museno FC but who have played 2 games more.

“COPA Coca-Cola was an eye opener. The exposure we got there and the experience has been vital and I can confidently say that participating in the tournament and travelling out was key in the coach’s decision to include us in the team,” says Edwin Mukolwe, the man who guards the post for Green Commandoes.

Mukolwe who looks up to Tusker FC’s keeper George Opiyo and Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas emerged the best goalkeeper from the COPA national championships in Mombasa last year and was selected for the South Africa boot camp alongside his understudy, Stephen Ogweno.

His academic and real life colleague Haron Nyakha is not a rookie in the world of youth football. The diminutive holding midfielder represented Kenya in the 2010 edition of Milo Cup in South Africa and was part of the Ambira team who won the 2011 COPA Coca-Cola edition in Kisumu.

Nyakha captained the Kenyan team in South Africa last year and blossomed to the extent that he made it in the All-Star team. “I am glad for the opportunities I have had to showcase my talent thus far. I have not yet reached the pinnacle yet but I’ll keep my head leveled on the ground until I play for my dream club AFC Leopards,” says the 16-year-old who likens his game to that of Cameroon’s Alexander Song.

Nyakha’s strengths come in many ways than one. Besides his proven leadership skills, the Form 2 student at Kakamega high has body stamina that bellies his light years, has unbelievable body strength and is comfortable on both feet. “I play the defensive midfield position at Green Commandos and it’s always a pleasure to wear that green jersey and long may it continue,” he says.

The last of the trio is Alfred Wekesa, a down-to-earth player who lets his football do the talking. Wekesa, nicknamed “Kemboi” by his colleagues thanks to his burst of pace made his maiden appearance in COPA Coca-Cola last year and like a player who knows what success is about, he took his opportunity.

The 15-year-old played in the 2010 edition of Orange Mabingwa but it was last year when his football prowess came to life as he led Western region to 2^nd place in the COPA nationals. “Am glad I got a chance to play in the youth football tournament. The experience I got playing at the national championships plus the training we received in South Africa from the Chelsea coaches have made me a better all-rounded player,” says Wekesa who likens his game to Western Stima’s Justine Monda.

When we caught up with them, Wekesa, Nyakha and Mukolwe had just finished playing for their team in a match-up against visitors Museno FC. The match ended in barren draw with the three performing their duties to perfection. “We want to win this league and get promoted to Nationwide football then Kenya Premier League. Am sure through hard work, discipline and maximum dedication, we can achieve that, and more besides,” concludes Nyakha.

The three Green Commandoes players are just but a few of COPA graduates who are getting noticed and picked up by local clubs. Recently during the Nzoia regional secondary school games in Kapenguria, Thika United grabbed the services of enterprising defender Christopher Oruchum who they slotted directly to the club’s U-19 team. The form 3 student at Chavakali High School was among the 16 players who travelled to South Africa last year.

And That's thesteifmastertake!!

20 Teams Enter COPA Coca-Cola Provincial Finals

The 7^th week of the COPA Coca-Cola U15 youth football tournament saw a total of 20 teams book slots in their respective provincial finals that will be held in July across the country.

Makadara Juniors from Nairobi East, Migori Youth from Nyanza West and VYSA Youth from Aberdares branch were a class above their opponents as they sailed through to the provincials by winning all their five matches, and in the case of Migori Youth, not conceding any goal in all their group matches.

Makadara Juniors and Indomitable Dandora will represent Nairobi East in the Nairobi Provincial finals after finishing first and second in the log respectively. Makadara collected the maximum 15 points, scoring 11 goals in the process and conceding only one while Indomitable won their last two matches to fend off the challenge of Makamu United who finished 3^rd, 3 points adrift of the Dandora outfit.

Otto Benecker and St Ann’s Girls bagged the girls’ slots, the former finishing top, one point ahead of St. Ann’s.

Migori and Mbita Juniors from Nyanza West will join Kisumu United and Kisumu Lakers from Nyanza North branch in the Nyanza provincial finals. Both Kisumu United and their Lakers counterparts went unbeaten in the group stages to finish on 13 and 11 points respectively.

In the ladies’ category, Kisumu Queens and Girls Talent from Nyanza North will take on Suba Lakers and Rakwaro FC from Nyanza West in the provincial finals.

In Aberdares branch, VYSA Youth scored 17 goals and let in only three as they topped the branch’s standings on 15 points, 3 points above Ruiru Neptunes who took the runners-up slot. Angaza All Stars won all their matches to lead the ladies’ standings and will be joined by Maragwa Queens.

Heartbeat Boys won their last two matches to leapfrog Nanyuki United to the top of the log but both teams qualified from the Mt. Kenya Branch. Young Vision and Young Heroines bagged the girls’ slots.

The COPA provincial finals will be played in a round-robin format. Teams that top their standings will represent their respective provinces in the national finals which will be held in Nairobi. Winners of the national finals will not only be entitled to a cash price of Ksh. 500,000 but will represent Kenya at the international boot camp in South Africa a month later.

Since COPA Coca-Cola is being held in partnership with the country’s football governing body, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the winning team will also officially form the Kenya U17 national team that will represent the country in international assignments that fall within that age bracket. 

And That's thesteifmastertake!!

Migori Youth, Makadara Juniors Qualify for COPA Coca-Cola Provincial Finals

Migori Youth's Baraka David celebrates scoring a goal against Kuria Youth

Migori Youth from Nyanza West and Makadara Juniors from Nairobi East booked slots in their respective provincial finals after finishing their group matches unbeaten. 

Buoyed by a partisan crowd who thronged Migori Stadium to witness Nyanza West 5^th leg matches, Migori were in a domineering form and easily scalped a hard-fighting Kuria Youth side 2-0 in their first match. Shadrack Onyango put Migori in the lead barely five minutes after kick off and David Baraka added the second three minutes before the interval to see Migori, who are yet to concede single goal in the competition, keep their 100% win record.

Migori wasted numerous chances in their second match against Mbita Juniors but still won the game 1-0, a result that nevertheless saw both teams advance to the Nyanza Provincial finals.

“We have won all our games so far in spite of tough competition from other teams in the region,” said Migori’s tactician Aol Omondi. “We are glad to have gotten to the provincial finals and preparations for that stage are already in top gear,” added Omondi.

And while the young lads from Migori were all smiles when curtains came down on the day’s games, their Homa Bay counterparts, Aspire FC, left to fight another day following their 1-0 defeat to both Rapogi and Mbita Juniors.

The academy side fell to a Gilbert Baraza solitary goal for Rapogi and karma hit them again after Mbita Juniors also squeezed a win out of them thanks to a Vincent Omondi 25^th minute goal.

Kuria Youth bounced back from their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Migori with a similar scoreline win over Shauri Yako, Chrispinus Peter giving them the lead and Charles Robert putting the game beyond Shauri Yako’s reach.

The Nyanza provincial finals are slated for July in Kisumu where top two boys’ and girls’ teams from Nyanza West, South and North will fight for the honours and a chance to represent the region in the national finals which will be held in Nairobi. Nyanza West will be represented by Migori Youth and Mbita Juniors in the boys' category while Suba Lakers and Mwangaza FC will represent them in the girls' category.

Meanwhile in Nairobi, Makadara Juniors also booked a place in Nairobi provincial finals after collecting 3 more points at Railways Club. Makadara whitewashed GOA FC 4-0 and will be joined in the Nairobi provincial finals by Indomitable Dandora who won both their matches,4-0 and 2-0 against GOA FC and MYSA Mathare to finish runners up. 

Makamu United beat Kamukunji Stars 2-1 to finish 3rd, three points adrift of Indomitable.

In the girls’ only match of the day, UEFA Babes and Ottto Benecker shared a 1-1 draw but the latter qualified to the provincials ahead of St. Anns Girls.

Collated Results


Mt. Kenya Branch
Nanyuki United 6 0 Iruku Primary
Heartbeat 3 0 Brighter Juniors
Kariadundu Pry 3 0 Young Warriors
Heartbeat 2 0 Nanyuki United
Young Warriors 1 1 Iruku Primary
Kariadundu Primary 2 1 Brighter Juniors

Girls
Young Vision 2 0 Young Heroine
Washituga Pry 2 2 Ndururi

Aberdares Branch
Maragwa 2 0 Muranga United
MYSA Youth 3 0 Gaturi United
Ruiru Neptunes 3 0 Maragwa United
MYSA Youth 1 0 Gatundu Soccer Academy
Ruiru Neptunes 1 0 Muranga United

Girls
Kahuhia 0 0 Maragwa Queens
Cardinal Girls 0 0 Angaza All Stars

And That's thesteifmastertake!!

Goals Galore in COPA Coca-Cola South Rift as Kilgoris Hit 10 Past Whipping Boys Legacy Academy

Kilgoris DEB eased their way to the top of COPA Coca-Cola South Rift branch standings after hammering their opponents to submission in a goal-fest weekend that saw 47 goals scored in only 10 matches at the branch.

Uprising FC stars train before their COPA Coca-Cola match

After beating Keongo Youth 3-1 in their first matchup, Kilgoris turned on the style to outscore Bureti Young Stars 6-0 before destroying a hapless Legacy Academy outfit 10-0 in two one-sided encounters. Legacy have proved to be the whipping of the South Rift branch and they did little to save their diffusing reputation as they suffered a 7-0 and 3-0 hiding at the hands of Keongo Youth and Bolosiche respectively.

Even when the academy side achieved the rare fete of finding the back of the net, the team that has now conceded 25 goals in only 4 matches still found themselves leaving the pitch with their heads buried on their hands as it happened against second from bottom Bureti Young Stars who thrashed them 5-1.

Ujuzi Young Stars joined Kilgoris at the top of the log after collecting maximum points in their matches. They came from behind to beat Bolosiche 2-1 before collecting wins against Keongo Youth and Bureti with a 4-2 and 1-0 scoreline. Bolosiche cemented their 3^rd place position with a solitary goal win over Keongo. The matches were played in Silibwet and Kapkatet Stadium.

Meanwhile in Lower Eastern Branch, Embu Youth leapfrogged Nyangwa to the top of the standings after collecting maximum points at Embu stadium. Derrick Kimathi’s goal was enough for Embu to beat Tharaka Youth Olympic while Nyangwa lost 1-2 against the same opposition, Gideon Mutegi netting the winning goal after Martin Mutembei had cancelled out John Githinji’s opener for Nyangwa. Kirigin joined the big boys at the top following their 1-0 win over Siakago

In the girls’ matches, Tharaka Youth Starlets won 1-0 against Embu Queens with a Harriet Gakii goal while C I Chuka and Muminji Starlets shared a 1-1 stalemate.

Collated Results

Western Branch

Butere Boys 4 0 Ebusiratsi

Bulimbo Academy 2 0 Kabras Junior

Muranda Boys 1 0 Busia Olympic

Muranda Girls 0 0 Ibinda Girls

Girls

Mukhombe Girls 1 0 Bulembwa Girls

Bulembwa Girls 0 0 Mukhombe

South Coast Branch

Msambweni Boys 2 1 Kaloleni Boys

Mombasa Heroes 4 1 Taita Stars

Taita Stars 0 0 Ukunda Boys

Mombasa Heroes 2 1 Kaloleni Boys

Mombasa Stars 0 0 Mswambweni Boys

Mombasa Stars 1 0 Taita Stars

Girls

Mombasa Ladies 0 0 Taita Girls

Kwale Queens 1 0 Taita Girls

Southern Branch – at Kitui High

Machakos All Stars 0 4 Kitui Township

Matinyani Juniors 3 0 Kasina

Machakos Uprising 0 2 Machakos All Stars

Machakos County Heroes 0 0 Matinyani

Machakos Uprising 1 4 Kasina

Girls

Mukuyuni Red Shooters 2 1 Kyanika Girls

Makueni Red Shooters v Mwingi Girls

Garissa Branch – at Garissa Primary

Garissa Primary 0 0 Tetu Primary

Young Muslim 3 0 Garissa Primary

Girls

Jaribu Primary 0 2 FC Township

Iftin Primary 1 0 GC Young Stars

And That's thesteifmastertake!!

COPA Action Slated for Nyanza, Rift and Upper Eastern

After a successful launch last Saturday at Nairobi’s City Stadium where 17 goals were scored in only 5 matches, the COPA Coca-Cola U15 youth football tournament shifts to 6 other Football Kenya Federation (FKF) branches across the country.

Nyanza South Branch, Upper Eastern, North Rift, Nairobi West and Aberdares will be busy with COPA action on Saturday while the Central Rift branch will welcome the tournament on Sunday at the Afraha Stadium.

North Rift branch matches are scheduled for Chepkoilel Campus where Kapsowar Young Stars will clash with Kapsabet Youth in the first encounter before Patuso Youth take on Rangers FC. The third match will pit Kunji against Uprising Stars. Kapsowar’s second assignment will be against Rangers before Patuso finish off the boys’ fixture list against Kapsabet.

The girls’ matches will see Kapsowar Girls meet Kapkuto Stars and St Elizabeth versus Kuinet Girls. In Aberdares Branch, matches will be played at St. Paul’s University, Limuru. The first match will pit Gaturi United versus Maragwa before Gatundu Soccer Academy tackle Muranga United and VYSA Youth gear up for an encounter against Gaturi United. The other two matches will be Ruiru Neptunes playing against Muranga United and Maragwa.

The two girls’ matches of the day will be Angaza All Stars against Maragwa Queens and Cardinal Girls versus Kahuhia United.

On Sunday, BOCA Juniors, LYSA FC, The Gunners, Eldama Ravine Shooters, Site Naivasha and Kabarnet Youth will converge at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to kick-start their season. The six boys’ teams will be joined by four girls’ teams, LYSA Girls, Coming Soon FC, Menengai Youth Ladies and Ravine Girls.

This year’s tournament is being played in a league format where teams clash in round robin matches. The top two teams will advance to the provincial finals for yet another round robin matches with the winners advancing to the finals slated for Nairobi in August. The winning team in both boys’ and girls’ categories will take home a whooping Kshs. 500,000 and will also have a lifetime opportunity to travel to South Africa for an international camp which will include over 20 other countries from Africa.

 Other Fixtures

Nyanza South at Cardinal Otunga                            Upper Eastern Branch – Isiolo

MYSA Youth v Kisii Olympic                                      Isiolo United v Mecesu Youth Center

Iranda Youth v Nyamorako                                           Ndamene Youth v Taqwa Academy

Gucha Combined v Kiamabundo Youth                       Nduluma Primary Thimbili

MYSA Youth v Nyamorako                                         Ndameme Youth Center v Isiolo United

Iranda Youth v Kisii Olympic                                      Nduluma Primary v Mecesu Youth

               Girls                                                                               Girls

Rachuonyo v Kenyorora Primary                             Meru Central v Luuma Primary

                                                                                  Meru Girls v Karieni Starlet

Nairobi West Branch at Nairobi University               Central Rift at Afraha Stadium

JMJ Sports Academy v French School                           BOCA Juniors v LYSA FC

Terokayo FC v More Fire                                               The Gunners v Eldama Ravine Shooters

Young Talents v Vapour Academy                                 Site Naivasha v Kabarnet Youth

Terokayo FC v JMJ Sports Academy                             LYSA FC v Eldama Ravine Shooters

More Fire v Vapour Academy                                        Site Naivasha v The Gunners

               Girls                                                                              Girls

Beijing Girls v Girl Soccer                                       LYSA Youth v Coming Soon

Uweza FC v Amazing Grace                                    Menengai Youth Ladies v Ravine Girls

And That's thesteifmastertake!!