The CDF Bora Cup women’s football tournament finals got off to an explosive start as rivals Kahawa team and Isiolo team faced off in one of the fiercest football match played at 81 Tank Battalion sports ground in Lanet, Nakuru County.
Tipped by many to go all the way in lifting the coveted cup going by their recent good run, the Kahawa team was stifled by the solid and tactical defensive organization of the Isiolo team with the first half ending to a barren draw.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Isiolo team countering their opponents with attacks and counter-attacks and this seemed to have paid off in the 72nd, when Corporal Perila Dama, playing the lead striking role, busted through Kahawa team backline with a nice ball control, rounding the goalkeeper the wrong way and tapping into the net. The goal was however ruled off-side by the match referee to the dismay of hundreds of Isiolo team home supporters.
At the end of the 90 minutes, both teams settled for a barren draw with the game going for extra time. The players swung to each other in the added time looking exhausted with the substitutes from both teams injecting no vigor and rhythm into the match. The extra time equally ended in a barren draw leaving the teams to square it out at the penalty shoot-out.
Isiolo team won the decorated CDF Cup after emerging victorious from a penalty shoot beating Kahawa team 5 goals to 3 in the shoot-out.
In his closing remarks read by Brigadier John Nkoimo, the Deputy Commandant Kenya Military Academy, General Robert Kibochi congratulated both the winners and looser for exhibiting immense talents. He further underscored that the tournament achieved its purpose of nurturing talents and building cohesion within the Kenya Defence Forces various services, formations and bases. “I congratulate both teams and those who have been selected to join Ulinzi Starlets. I urge you to fight for your place in the team.” He said.
Football Kenya Federation president Mrs. Doris Petra appreciated the Kenya Defence Forces for playing a critical role in lifting football in Kenya, especially women football.
Sapper Cheserek Jacayne from Embakasi team was voted the overall most valuable player of the tournament and Sgt Pamela Chepkurui the best goalkeeper from Isiolo team and top scorer was won by Pte Maureen Akisa.
Among the twenty nine selected to join Ulinzi Starlets is 2nd Lieutenant Fatuma Robert from Wajir team, Cpl Perila Dama, Cpl Maureen Akisa from Isiolo team, Cpl Belinda Achieng from Kenya Navy Manda team, Pte Mapenzi Kahindi and Pte Fadhili Kasaya from Kenya Navy Mtongwe.
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