Kenya wins Copa Coca-Cola under-16 Africa Cup of Nations as they claim boys' and girls' titles
Football
By
Elizabeth Mburugu
| Dec 16, 2018
Kenyans lift Copa titles
Kenyan teams offer a befitting closure of the inaugural Copa challenge.
Kenya completed an impressive double as they claimed the boys' and girls' titles at the inaugural Copa Coca Cola under-16 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament which concluded at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Saturday.
Kenyan boys won a dramatic penalty shootout 3-2 against Nigeria after the sides settled for a barren draw in normal time.
Kenya coach Peter Mayoyo said his charges deserved the title. "This game should not have gone to penalties because we dominated from start to finish while Nigeria just sat back," Mayoyo said.
READ MORE
Doctors set 90-day ultimatum for pay talks, warn of strike
Kenya, Italy adopt four-year cooperation plan after Ruto-Meloni talks
Kenyan keeper Issa Emuria saved two penalties from Williams Gift and Mohammed Hussian while Jerry Umeke saw his penalty go wide to send the home fans into frenzy. Kumater Shina and Omodora Olamilekan converted.
Kenya, on the other hand, scored theirs through Haron Kibiwott, David Leon and Isaiah Abwal. Lukes Maina had his penalty saved by Nigerian keeper Moses Aluko as Rashid Issa sent his spot kick wide.
Buoyed by a partisan home crowd, Kenyan dominated proceedings from the onset with top scorer Jacob Onyango troubling the Nigerian defence with a wave of attacks. He had the game's first chance after eight minutes but his crisp shot missed the target narrowly.
That set the pace for the remainder of the half as Kenyans threatened but could not penetrate the Nigerian defence. The first half ended with Kenya leading all stats.
The second half saw the hosts confine their opponents to their half but were yet again frustrated as they failed to find the break through forcing match to go into penalties.
Mercy Njeri's eighth minute goal was enough to give Kenya the girls' title. The victory saw the Kenyan girls complete a double against their guests, who they had beaten 2-0 on day one of the championships.
An ecstatic Njeri said teamwork earned them the trophy. "Our dream of winning an international trophy came true. We worked very hard in preparation for the tournament and I'm glad that our hard work, disciple and dedication paid off but above all, teamwork won us the trophy," Njeri said.
Botswana took bronze after beating Zambia in a third place playoffs match. The match ended in a 1-1 draw setting the stage for the decisive penalties. Pono Bonolo, Ricardo Pintes, Lebogang Onkabeste, Kgholo Tlotlo, Djoka Tumisang scored for Botswana. In reply, Benny Kalombo, Boniface Phiri, Thomas Tembo, Lickson Ngambi were on target for Zambia while Isaac Banda missed the crucial penalty forcing his side to settle for fourth.