Ex-footballer Abdul Pele breaks through in snooker

Abdul Pele of Mombasa Sports club sets his eyes on the ball as he attempts to score against Zarak Rana in their Africa PVC Industries invitational Snooker tournament at Mombasa Sports club on February 8, 2019. Abdul qualified for the quarter-finals by beating his club captain Alpesh Khimji. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |

What you need to know:

  • Burhani Sports Club’s Shiraz Paun joined him in the quarters after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sydney Fernandes of Goan Institute
  • In an all-MSC play, Zaraka Rana had an easy task in beating youngster Suheil Khan 2-0
  • Veteran Farook Khan of MSC put up a great show to advance to the quarters when he strolled past Mbaraki’s Manase Odhiambo 2-0

Former Liverpool striker Abdul Pele proved his might in snooker when he booked his place in the quarter-final of the inaugural Africa PVC Industries Invitational Snooker Tournament at Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) on Friday night.

Pele - who played for one of the great football clubs in Mombasa, Liverpool (Mwenge), for over 20 years - was in a class of his own beating Mombasa Sports Club captain Alpesh Khimji in a hotly contested pre-quarter final clash.

Burhani Sports Club’s Shiraz Paun joined him in the quarters after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sydney Fernandes of Goan Institute.

Pele said he decided to play snooker because of his love for sports. “I’m trying my best to win this tournament and look forward to take part in the country’s top tournaments and abroad.”

In an all-MSC play, Zaraka Rana had an easy task in beating youngster Suheil Khan 2-0. Rana will now face Bijal Shah of Visa Oshwal who edged Central Bank of Kenya’s Joel Lele 2-1.

Hassan Namajee of Burhani had an easy passage to the last eight when he got a walk-over after his opponent, Jagjit Singh of MSC failed to turn up. Namajee meets Shushrut Sumaria of MSC who beat his club mate Sagar Karia.

Veteran Farook Khan of MSC put up a great show to advance to the quarters when he strolled past Mbaraki’s Manase Odhiambo 2-0. Khan takes on an individual entrant Rahim Haji who beat MSC’s Alphonce Latee 2-1.

The tournament is organised by Mombasa Sports Club where 53 participants from various clubs are battling out for top honours.

The six clubs taking part in the tournament are Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa Sports Club, Burhani SC, Central Bank of Kenya, Goan Institute and Visa Oshwal Community.