St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale are the new national Copa U20 champions after beating Dagoretti Boys from Nairobi 5-4, in post-match penalties in a final match played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday afternoon.
The match started in a high tempo with both teams attacking in search of a goal. St. Anthony’s captain Tyson Kapachanga had a shot saved by Dagoretti keeper Juspher Okello. At the other end, Hamdi Mohamed’s shot flew over the upright.
As the clock ticked the match slowly grew to an end to end affair but Dagoretti looked more dangerous going forward.
The Nairobi based school nearly went ahead in the 32nd minute through Paul Odhiambo, with keeper Daniel Wamalwa beaten, impressive defender Christopher Raila saved the Saints with a goal-line clearance.
Daniel Musamali and Issa Lumumba tried their luck from distance for the Saints but they didn’t trouble Okello on Dagoretti goal.
Dagoretti captain Boniface Mwangemi was particularly impressive on the left flank. His runs and deliveries caused St. Anthony’s problems but luckily for them, Dagoretti attackers didn’t take the chances. The entertaining first half ended barren.
The start of the second half was balanced with both raiding in search of goals. Zablon Kutera, Paul Odhiambo and Mohamed Hamdi were Dagoretti’s main threat while Daniel Odhiambo, Tyson Kapachanga and Geoffrey Onjuati led the onslaught for St. Anthony’s Boys.
The Saints slowly took charge of the clash as Dagoretti opted to sit deep and try to beat them on the break. They created several chances with Odhiambo on the right flank delivering good balls inside the area, they, however, failed the dominance count.
None of the sides could find a winner in regular time and the match moved to extra time. The extra time was an end to the affair with both teams clearly keen to avoid the dreaded spot-kicks. Despite creating chances, they failed to utilize them and the game had to be settled from the penalty spot.
In penalties Daniel Musamali, Tyson Kapchanga, Woodvine Okoth, Godfrey Onjuati, and Cedric Muchina scored for St. Anthony’s while Christopher Raila, Daniel Wamalwa, and Kennedy Mwendwa missed. For Dagoretti, Simon Omondi, Paul Odhiambo, William John, Mwinyi Mohamed, scored while Derrick Omondi, Zablon Kutera, Lorren James, Boniface Mwangemi missed.