KISUMU, Kenya, August 22 – Gituru High produced the first upset of the COPA Coca-Cola Finals by beating Mombasa United 2-1on Monday in Kisumu.
A brace from John Gatonye in the first half was enough for Gituru to secure victory at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground despite a rampant display from their Coast opponents.
Mombasa hit the post twice inside the opening two minutes but Gituru took the lead against the run of play when Gatonye gathered a through pass and hit a low shot past Mombasa keeper Maanun Arafat to go 1-0 up.
Mombasa responded with more of their enterprising play but failed to capitalise on the chances they created.
Gatonye extended Gituru’s lead on the quarter-hour mark after leaving his markers for dead to lob the ball past Arafat for the 2-0 lead.
Shef Ramadhan brought Mombasa back into the game with a well struck penalty after he was brought down in the box by Dennis Maosa .
The second half was evenly fought out with Mombasa creating several chances but some fine goalkeeping from Gituru keeper Ethan Mwangi kept the Coast Boys at bay.
In the second match of the day, Lasalle Youth made their intentions clear with an emphatic 3-1 win over Ainul Qamar.
Three more Group ties will take place Tuesday.
Gituru hope to secure their place in the quarter finals with a win over Rift Valley’s Mombwo at 11am, Taqwa FC face Ainul Qamar at 2pm and Chavakali have a crunch encounter against JMJ Academy at 4pm.
