Rampant Kenya storm Copa Coca-Cola quarters
A Kenyan player controls the ball as a Botswana opponent watches him closely during their Copa Coca-Cola Africa Cup of Nations under 16 match at Nakuru High School on December 12, 2018. Kenya won the match 3-0 PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA
What you need to know:
- Lucas Maina inspires Kenya to a comfortable 3-0 over Botswana.
- Kenya now sits at the top of Pool A with six points.
- South Africa qualified for quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Kenya cruised into Copa Coca Cola under-16 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament quarter finals after easing past Botswana 3-0 at the Nakuru High grounds on Wednesday.
Kenya grabbed the lead barely a minute on the clock through the lethal Issa Rashid who capitalised on defensive mix up in the Botswana box. Answar Shamuni added Kenya's second on the 33rd minute after good build up play initiated by skipper Cedric Muchina.
Botswana sat back most of the time in the first half soaking in the hosts pressure and launching sporadic raids that the Kenyans comfortably dealt with.
Kenya’s coach Peter Mayoyo withdrew the enterprising Lucas Maina after half time. Maina had been the side’s best player pulling the strings in the midfield and spraying passes that kept the Botswana defence busy.
The skilful Kenyan side wrapped up the match in the dying minutes when substitute Isaiah Aswal volleyed in from a well taken conrner kick by Wisdom Nayah.
A relaxed said that his charges played a relaxed game confident of getting a positive result from the tie. "I told the boys to take it easy as we enter the tricky knockout stage. I believe we have the potential to make it to the final," he said.
His Botswana counterpart was hopeful of qualifying for the quarterfinals. “The boys allowed easy boys but we will fix our mistakes and I’m sure we will proceed to the quarters,” he told Nation Sport.
The top two teams in the four pools will qualify for the last eight. Twelve teams are taking part in the week-long inaugural tournament.
