Black Mamba, Hakati face-off in ‘Otty Fatha’ final
Black Mamba players pose for a photo before their 2017/18 Otty Fatha Memorial Cup semi-final match against Masa at the Camp Toyoyo grounds on January 14, 2018. PHOTO | COURTESY |
What you need to know:
- Kaloleni's Black Mamba and Makadara’s Hakati Sportiff will battle for the Sh50,000 winners prize in the final on Sunday.
The stage is set for the grand finale of the 2017/18 Otty Fatha Memorial Cup at the Camp Toyoyo grounds this weekend.
The tourney, being staged in honour of legendary coach Leonard Otieno popularly known as Otty Fatha, kicked off in December last year with a total of 32 teams from Eastlands participating.
Kaloleni's Black Mamba and Makadara’s Hakati Sportiff will battle for the Sh50,000 winners prize in the final on Sunday with the usual bragging rights also on the line.
Black Mamba edged out arch-rivals Makongeni Sports Association (Masa) 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time while Tyron Xavier’s lone goal helped Hakati see-off Cinema 1-0 in the first semi-final played on Sunday at Camp Toyoyo.
Brian Maloud shot Mamba ahead courtesy of a seventh minute penalty that was cancelled out by Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Chris. Francis Nambute gave Masa lead but Brandon Mulama equalised to force the match to be decided on post-match penalties.
Otty Fatha is celebrated for his contribution to football before his untimely death in November 1996.
He is said to have nurtured some of the best football talents in the country in the likes of John "Shoto" Lukhoye, Jacob "Ghost" Mulee, the late Bernard Zico and his late brother Felix Otieno.
Others include John "Baresi" Odhiambo, Eric "Cantona" Ochieng’, goalkeeper Victor Onyango among many others.
“Otty was a promoter, founder of Camp Toyoyo and Jericho AllStars team. He will forever be remembered for nurturing so many talents that have turned out to be among the best in the country,” said the competition organiser Francis Koko.
