Kenya reach Copa Africa Cup quarters

Kenya marched on into the quarter-finals of the Copa Coca-Cola Africa Cup tournament after thrashing Botswana 3-0 in their last Pool A match in Nakuru on Wednesday.

Issa Rashid scored with perhaps the fastest goal of the tournament when he capitalised on some defensive lapse to put his side in the lead in the first minute.

Answar Shamuni made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark before Issaih Abwal put the result beyond doubt with a 68th minute strike.

The result meant Kenya went through as group leaders as Botswana also progressed from the three-team group despite the defeat with Ethiopia crashing out.

Head coach Peter Mayoyo, lauded his charges and noted that their intentions to win the first edition of the tourney is on course ahead of Thursday’s semi-finals.

The U-16 School games champion in this year’s school games with St. Anthony, rested most of his top guns with his eyes on the quarter finals and the latter says he will field a strong side on Thursday.

Kenya meets neighbours Uganda in the last eight after the latter finished runners up behind Mozambique in Pool C standings.

“We are on the right track and in the knockouts no taking chances because the remaining teams now poses a great threat and remember they are out to beat Kenya. No injuries and we ready for the Uganda challenge,” upbeat Mayoyo underscored.

Mayoyo’s opposite number Godrey Ranthoka conceded defeat and has now shifted focus to his next opponent, Mozambique.

“We were poor in defending but Kenya is very good with pacy wingers and now I will be working on my defence before we meet Uganda tomorrow who are very strong. We did not acclimatize well before the competition but I don’t want to use that as an excuse,” said Ranthoka.

At the same time, Nigeria made it to the last eight as group B winners while also Zambia sealed the spot as the second side in the pool.

The former meets group D’s runners up Tanzania as Zambia set to face inform South Africa in the other quarter finals.

The week-long competition will end on Saturday with finals to be played at Afraha Stadium.