Kenyan teams storm Costa Daurada Cup semi-finals in Spain

Kenya’s Talanta Hela U-19 teams produced yet another spectacular show in the ongoing Costa Daurada Cup in Tarragona, Spain.

Derick Oketch and William Gitamu were on target against Usurbil Football Team as the Talanta Hela Boys team stormed into the semi-finals of the competition stylishly with a 2-0 win on match day two.

The game seemed to be even in the better part of the second half but Derrick Oketch’s heroics saw him break the deadlock for the Stanley Okumbi charges.

Youngster William Gitamu capped the victory, netting from a close range late in the game.
The win meant the boys cruised to the last four of the tournament having won all the group matches with a nine-goal margin.

“We enjoyed every moment of the game despite getting our goals late. We understand the tournament is getting tougher as we head to the knockout stages and we are up to the task to represent our country well. We did not come here to participate but to compete and win this tournament; it will mean a lot to us. We also want to use this tournament to show ourselves to the world. More so, I would like to thank the Ministry of Sports for this Talanta Hela Program, it has surely brought us to the world,” Oketch told People Sport.

By the time of going to press, Kenya’s opponents were not yet known as the other group games were still on.

The girls’ team also registered a routine win against Portuguese soccer giants Sporting Lisbon.
Elizabeth Mideva was a thorn in the heart of the Sporting defense and managed to score two goals in each half to get her tally to four in two outings.

Marion Musanga netted the first goal to make it two goala in two games.
“The game was not easy; we played according to the instructions of our coach. We gave our best on the pitch and we achieved our main goal, which was to win. This tournament is vital for our exposure to the scouts. It also feels good to beat Sporting Lisbon, I am very happy,” Musanga told People Sport.

Coach Jacklyn Juma showed her girls with praises after seeing off their second opponents in the tournament.

“Lisbon is a very good team and I would like to express my gratitude to the girls for doing a good job against an experienced side. Our players had signs of a stage fright in our first game but today they gave a good character and they gave a great fight.”