Machakos, Makolanders win Mashujaa Cup

Makolanders Mary Njeri(R) and Geradine Kyove of Machakos United battle for ball possession during Mashujaa Day Cup at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on 20/10/16.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Football Kenya Federation(FKF) Machakos County League leaders Machakos Youth and FKF Women Premier League side Makolanders are the winners of the 2016 Mashujaa Day Cup held at the Kenyatta Stadium.

Machakos Youth defeated FKF Machakos Division Two League side Machakos United 3-1 on post-match penalties to win the hotly contested men’s trophy after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Makolanders lifted the women’s trophy after thrashing Machakos Combined 3-0.

In the men’s match, Machakos United were the first to find the back of the net through Kevin Keegan in the 15th minute.

Machakos Youth put their house in order on resumption for the second half and their efforts were rewarded by John Paul who notched a screamer in the 80th minute and leveled the scores.

Paul could have put Machakos Youth a head three minutes later but his spot kick hit the cross bar before bouncing back into play.

Machakos United clearly lacked confidence when the two sides proceeded for penalty shootouts losing three of their four taken shots as Machakos Youth slotted three to emerge victorious.

Even though the women’s contest had equal strength from both sides, Machakos Combined lacked finishers upfront which saw them miss several scoring opportunities.

The match attracted a capacity crowd owing to the several Harambee Starlets players in Makolanders side including Terry Ouko and Pauline ‘Master’ Atieno, who did not disappoint in their roles.

Ouko stood firm at the Makolanders defence, thwarting every effort made by marauding striker and Machakos Combined captain Leah Wairimu.

Nairobi-based Makolanders managed to squeeze in a goal in the first half through Nigerian striker Ebere Chukwu, whose dazzling moves upfront left fans on the edge of their seats.

Speaking after the match, Sports Department representative Carolyn Kariuki said: “Apart from the Ministry of Sports availing funds to support the Mashujaa Day cup football contests, it also supported the national karate team and junior tae kwon do teams to showcase their talents during the celebrations in Machakos. This is part of the Ministry’s effort to give talented youth exposure," she said.