By ERICK OCHIENG’
Nyanza, Nairobi, Central and Western have sailed to the semi-finals of the 2010 Copa Coca Cola National Championship to be played tomorrow in Nairobi’s City Stadium.
The event, that has survived incessant rains pounding the city, takes a break today as the organisers struggle to come up with the Dream Team to be announced on Saturday after the finals.
Initially, the Dream Team to travel to South Africa on May 29 was to be named by Wednesday but it was pushed to weekend. Western Province beat Central 2-1 to advance to the semis. Moses Nangila and Douglas Wamalwa scored in the 48th and 60th for Western as Toure Abdi netted in the 86th minute for Central.
Even though North Eastern Province (NEP) staged a good fight against Eastern by winning 3-2, it was a case of too little too late as both teams were edged out of the championship.
Western topped in Group A with nine points, having beaten Coast (2-1), Central (2-1) and Rift Valley (5-1) in the group stages.
Central advanced to the semis with six points. They lost to Western 2-1 but beat Rift Valley (1-0) and Coast (3-1). The race is still tight and it is hard to predict the probable winners of the trophy.
Nyanza and Western have shown their intention to win the Golden Boot award, which was won by Nairobi’s Emmanuel Tostao during last year’s tournament.
Those who have focused their eyes for the top scorer award are Nyanza’s Timothy Otieno and Jacob Madega of Western. Even though Hassan Abelisah of NEP was tying with the two at four goals apiece by Wednesday, his progress was thwarted by NEP’s exit from the race.
