St. Anthony of Kenya hit 11 past Ethiopia as Copa-Cocacola Africa gets underway

Spot-on Kenya recorded impressive wins in the boys and girls categories as the first edition of the Under -16 Copa-Cocacola Africa Nations football tournament got under way at Nakuru High School grounds in Nakuru County.

Kenya’s boys representatives and this year’s National School Games football champions St. Anthony demolished neighbours Ethiopia by a scintillating 11-1 scoreline in a lopsided Pool A opener to underline their title credentials  in the inaugural edition.

Jacob Onyango started the rout in the fourth minute and eventually hit four with Issa Rashid scoring a hat-trick while Mike Kendigi hit a brace against the hapless Ethiopians.

Harun Kibiwot and Kennedy Mwendwa scored one each to hit the last nail in Ethiopia’s coffin

The resounding win now puts Kenya in a good position to storm to quarter finals when they confront Botswana on Wednesday in the final preliminary matches. The latter plays Ethiopia tomorrow in their first match.

In a post match reflections with Citizen Digital, Kenya’s head coach Peter Mayoyo attributed their big to good preparations.

“We had two weeks of preparations and this has paid immensely .I am sure will qualify for the quarter finals. My boys are in good shape and much disciplined hence good performance,” he averred.

In other matches Zambia walloped Nigeria 2-1 in Pool B opener.

Meanwhile, St.Moi Girls Nangili defeated their only opponents Zimbabwe 2-0 to claim the first leg advantage ahead of the final leg on Saturday.

Sharon Ikae and Cynthia Atieno were on the score sheet for the Kenya’s side who are also the national school games champions.

The inaugural event which has attracted 12 nations from diverse Confederation of African Football (CAF) zones and organized as platform to churn out new talent will end on Saturday.

The week-long event will end on Saturday with finals set to be staged at Afraha Stadium. ‎