Ryan Wesley Ogam and Eric Naaman Balecho scored a brace each as ‘Team White’ nicknaming themselves ‘Masandawana’ beat ‘Team Yellow’ nicknaming themselves ‘Getafe’ 4-2 in an in-house friendly match at the Ruaraka Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Team Yellow’s two goals were scored by John Njuguna and Boban Zirintusa, but were not enough to secure victory on the day.
Balecho broke the deadlock early in the first half when a long clearance from keeper Joseph Okoth fell kindly on his path, his vicious left foot beating keeper Edwin Simiyu.
But, Team Yellow restored parity just before halftime, when Njuguna glanced home a header from a timely delivery from Yussuf Mainge off a freekick.
In the second half though, ‘Getafe’ didn’t settle into the match quick enough and we punished by goals from Balecho and Ogam. A defensive mistake at the back saw Ogam pounce on the ball before beating the keeper.
Balecho then completed his brace, with another interception and quick finish.
Team Yellow restored some hope when Zirintusa shook off his marker to face the keeper on on one, and plant the ball into the bottom right corner. But, hopes of a comeback were dashed when Ogam added his second with an extended foot to pick out a cross from George Kaddu.
The friendly match featured several players from the Youth Team as well.
On the match, coach Charles Okere said;
“It was a good way to finish the week with a very competitive and entertaining match. We wanted to maintain the team spirit and camaraderie that has been there in the squad and I was glad to see both teams really compete well. Sometimes, it is also nice to see the players challenge and push themselves,” the tactician said.
He added; “We have worked really hard over the last two weeks to ensure we don’t lose our momentum and I am glad we are entering match week with some brilliant spirit.”
The tactician, and assistant George Maina both took a back seat in the duel, with the two teams handled by Youth Team coaches Peter Kariuki (Team White) and Paul Adera (Team Yellow).
The two are currently in class for the CAF B coaching licence, and the game was a good opportunity for them to put into practice what they have learnt in the first month.
They worked under the close supervision and guidance of both coach Okere and Maina.
“It’s really a good challenge when you get to measure yourself up with top level players and I enjoyed the experience, and of course being the winning coach,” said coach Kariuki.
His opposite number noted; “Football is always about learning and this was such a great learning experience for me as a young upcoming coach. It is different working with youth players and then with the experienced ones and this was a very good class for me.”
