Kingston, Jua Kali face off in Koth Biro final contest

Koth Biro surprise package Alin Jua Kali from Ziwani Estate and fancied Kingston from neighbouring Shauri Moyo are set to get the ball rolling in the final of the off-season tournament at Umeme ground in Ziwani, Nairobi from 3pm Saturday.

A sell-out crowd is expected at the ground, which is adjacent to the popular eatery of Kariokor, with both teams chasing the Sh300,000 cash prize.

The runners-up in will receive Sh100,000, third placed Sh75,000 while the fourth-placed team earn Sh50,000.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the city’s Senator Johnson Sakaja, Women Representative Esther Passaris and Makadara MP George Aladwa are among leaders expected to grace the final.

En-route to the final, Kingston edged out crowd favourites Umeme Bees 1-0 while Jua Kali secured a similar win over Makongeni Sports Association (MASA).

The third place play-off match took place on Friday with yet another outfit from Ziwani, Umeme Bees, colliding with MASA.

Event Chief Executive Officer Robert Ocholla says whoever triumphs between Kingston and Jua Kali will clash with the winner of the biggest off-season tournament in Tanzania, dubbed Ndondo Cup.

Uruguay and Temeke are the finalists in the Tanzanian version of Koth Biro and whoever wins will take on their Kenyan counterparts on August 11 at a yet to be identified venue.

“We have been in negotiations with the organisers of Ndondo Cup as well as potential partners and we have made huge strides. Several officials from Tanzania will be jetting into the country on Thursday while we (Koth Biro officials) will head to Tanzania on Sunday (August 4) to finalise on the preparations. We will make an official announcement soon,” said Ochola early this week.

He added: “There have been a lot of surprises as Pumwani United, one of the strongest teams, were eliminated at the preliminaries while new teams like Ping FC and Ruaraka have been strong. Jua Kali lost their first match but have grown in strength.”