The annual off-season Kothbiro football tournament enters the quarter finals stage this week at its traditional Umeme grounds in Ziwani Starehe constituency, Nairobi.
The tournament this year received a shot in the arm after securing sponsorship from Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) president Richard Ngatia who came in to boost the tournament several years after the former betting firm sponsor pulled out.
Running of the tournament this season has had a smooth run with referees and grounds being paid promptly. After several years of turmoil where teams’ prize money took long to be paid or went missing altogether to the question of timely payment of referees and match logistics, the sponsorship from Ngatia, who has declared interest to run for the seat of Nairobi County Gubernatorial seat at this year’s general elections, has gone a long way to restore confidence in how the tournament is run.
Last weekend, Team Dandora from Embakasi North became the first to book a ticket to the quarter finals of the tournament after eliminating a Kamukunji based Kingstone FC from Shaurimoyo 4-3 on post match penalties after both teams laboured to a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minute regulation time in a match held at Ziwani Umeme Grounds.
Dandora will now face Mathare Combined from Mathare constituency in the quarters while Wenyeji Youth will meet Borussia of Kamujunji consituency. A 1000 street from Kaloleni in Makadara will take on Mlango Kubwa from Mathare today Monday Jan 17th in the last knockout clash while Sharp will face off with Leeds at the same venue on Monday from 4pm to identify the final two quarter finalists.
The tournament that had a total of 42 teams is played by combined teams representing all corners of Nairobi and teams are allowed to field players who turn up for professional teams in local Football Kenya Federation leagues but those who reside from the team’s locality.
Tyson Odhiambo gave Dandora the match opener after 20 minutes before Kingstone levelled the score in the 57th minute through a penalty that was converted by Omollo Neville.
During the penalty shootouts, Team Dandora players Samuel Mwangi, Alex Ronaldo, Edwin Onyango and Teddy Sewe all converted their spot kicks while Tyson Odhiambo shot was saved by Kingstone Keeper Otieno Neville.
Kingstone’s spot kicks scorers were Omollo Neville, Brian Magunya and Kibera stars Chrispinus Onyango while Dandora Keeper Brian Kwanzu saved one.
Earlier in the knock out matches, former AFC Leopards striker Austin Odhiambo and another former Gor Mahia winger Ali Abondo engineered a comeback by Ruaraka Allstars who rose from a goal down to edge out Slumscores 2-1. Kevin Juma had given Slumscore the match opener in the 46th minute.
The introduction of both Tyson Otieno and Tyson Odhiambo added more punch and fighting spirit for Ruaraka side who invaded their opponents half knocking for a goal.
Derick Owino, Juma Cyril, Ken Ochieng, Ali Abondo and Kevin Machukas combination proved too much to handle for Slumscore defenders that resulted with the two late goals that send their fans to storm inside the pitch in jubilation.
Austin Odhiambo who was a live wire in the entire match scored both goals for Ruaraka side in the 80th and 85th minute to silence their opponents and earn a ticket to the quarters.
Mathare Combined trounced Huruma Kona 3-1 while Kisima failed to get their winning touch after losing 2-0 to A 1000 Sports while Wendani lost 2-0 to Mlango at the same venue.
Kothbiro is an off-season football tournament that is normally organised in Nairobi and played by teams from estates which have the liberty to seek the services of players from league sides. This year however, the tournament went on in the middle of the season since Football Kenya Federation changed the league calendar to align with that of FIFA
