Battle for top prizes heats up as Mombasa pin down Kwale

Taita Taveta County who battled Kilifi County to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture.[Courtesy]

Dola Super Cup football showpiece has reached the Grand Finale where eight sides are now battling at the Mombasa Sports Club.for the mouthwatering Sh1 million prize money on offer.

The opening day of the packed inter-county fixtures saw Mombasa 'A' edged Kwale 'A 3-2 to move closer to the trophy.

The winners found the back of the net just 23 seconds after the kick-off through Alex 'Sunday' Emmanuel before the latter's replacement, Hussein Tusker, made it 2-0 in quick succession. Abdhallah Mwinyi sealed the victory in the 60th minute with a 35-yard stunner that sent the packed stadium into delirium.

Kwale 'A' found rejuvenation in the dying minutes to score two goals in the 80th and 87th minutes through Hussein Mwachozi and Jamel Matajiri in that order.

"Everything is set, the grand inter-county finals are on course, the crowd is massive, we can't wait to see the champions who will walk home with the money on Sunday," Dola Head of Marketing Sadam Suleiman underlined. His sentiments were echoed by Mombasa County Football Association Chairman Juma Goshi.

In another tense encounter, Kilifi County battled to a 1 -1 draw with Taita Taveta County. Mohamed Salim converted a spot kick for Kilifi in the 28th minute as Stanley Mwaura replied for Taita in the 53rd.

Brian Moraya lost upteenth opportunities as his side Kwale 'B' battled to a 0-0 draw with Mombasa 'B'.

Six-goal fest was experienced in the tussle between Tana River against Lamu which ended in a 3-3 draw. Tana River scorers were Mohamed Bashora, Mohamed Islam and Mohammed Gawawa while those who found the back of the net for Lamu were Mohamed Hussein, Yassir Ali and Shaib Awadh.

Six other mouthwatering matches were lined up at the venue on Thursday with Mombasa 'A' facing off with Kilifi, Kwale 'A' slugging-off Taita Taveta and Kwale 'B' battling Lamu.

Mombasa 'B' was also poised to meet Tana River head-on as Mombasa 'A' and Kwale 'A' launched an assault on Taita Taveta and Kilifi respectively.