Olympic Talented’s Jesse Were shields the ball from Boma’s Vicky Onyango during Kiko Cup finals at Woodley Grounds on Sunday. Photo/DAVID NDOLO

Kenya international inspires side to a post-match penalties win

A star-studded Olympic Talented weathered heavy storm to beat Boma FC 6-5 on penalties to clinch the 32nd edition of the Kiko Cup tournament played before a fair crowd at Joseph Kang’ethe (Woodley) Stadium in Kibera at the weekend.
Jesse Were, featuring for Olympic Talented made all the difference, with his brace in regulation time pushing the match into post-match penalties. The Harambee Stars and Tusker striker could have killed off the match at the stroke of full-time only to be denied by goalkeeper Sadam Ali.
Were was on target in the first and fifth minutes, goals that were cancelled by Boma’s Dennis Muturi and Reuben Musau in the 67th and 77th minutes respectively, prompting the post-match shoot-out.
Olympic scored through Hassan Nassir, Edwin Lavatsa, Kevin Odhiambo, Jesse were, Esau Karani and Haram watare while Nico Mariga misfired. Boma scorers were David Muturi, George Ouma, Reuben Musau, Nick Atariza, Benjamin Tera as Dave Agesa and Eric Mungai wasted their kicks.

Olympic Kevin Odhiambo recieves trophy from Speaker Alex ole Magelo joined by area MP Ken Okoth. Photo/DAVID NDOLO

The match was watched by, among others, the event’s convener Noordinne Taib Koor, Nairobi County Assemble Speaker Alex Ole Magelo, Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch, Former Nairobi Mayor Joe Aketch, Kibera MP Ken Okoth and former Harambee Stars coach Jocob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.
Magelo who hailed the improved standards of the game pledged Sh 100,000 towards the tournament, a token that will be presented today in a ceremony in Nairobi.
The awards ceremony was followed by an announcement by the organisers that a seven-a side tournament will be held in Laini Saba ahead of the 33rd edition of the Kiko Cup at Woodley in June. Kiko Cup is one of the oldest off-season tournaments in the country which brings together players from the national football league.
Over the years, it has produced tens of players who have honed their careers at the Woodley Grounds. Former national team players Allan Thigo, Austin Oduor, Washington Odhiambo, Deo Odhiambo, Ochieng Siranga and a host of others, who went on to be big names in their own rights, have passed through the historic grounds.