Oboya Cup: Mouthwatering clashes on the cards as semifinals take centre stage

Team PING, MUFYA FC, Rongai United and South B United Sports Academy (SUSA) are set to battle it out for a place in the final of the 2021 Patrick Oboya Cup as the semifinals of the tournament sponsored by lead gaming firm Mozzart Bet take centre stage this coming weekend at the Police Band Grounds in South B.

From an initial sixteen teams, only two will remain after this weekend’s fixtures that will certainly be a festival of talent drawn from every corner of the Nairobi region.

In the first semifinal being played on Saturday 4 December, MUFYA will take on Team Ping in the match that will kick off at 3PM. To book their spot to the last four, MUFYA dislodge South C United 1-0 while PING also recorded the same scoreline against Cheza Sports in closely fought quarterfinal encounters.

Heading into the semis, PING who come all the way from Riruta sounded a warning shot to their opponents who might have underrated their capabilities.

“We are definitely going for a win in our semis match. In all our encounters from the start, we always go into the game with a positive mindset and we have never played as underdogs. Rumors out there are trying to put us as the weaker party but they will know that we do not fall under that category come matchday,” Alex Kibeno, Team Ping manager remarked.

Shashu optimistic of guiding Team Ping to the Oboya Cup podium

The second semifinal pairing will see South B United lock horns with favourites Rongai on Sunday at 3PM. Rongai edged Derby FC 2-0 in the quarters while South B United were made to go all the way to the penalties in order to secure progression after 1-1 draw by Mariakani Christian Centre in regulation time. The home side sailing through after winning 4-2 on the post-match shootouts.

 “Our ride to the semis has been amazing since the tournament started. It was hard but all the boys have put in a real effort and it is only from the quarter finals where we encountered challenges due to the weather challenges but we managed to cope in those tricky conditions. We are 100% sure in ourselves and we know we are going to lift the tournament because we have backed it up in training. In the semis we expect to have our defender back who was red carded previously,” Rongai's Joe Tinda noted.

"In the semifinals, we are sure it will be tough but as it is said greatness requires internal toughness we believe we are tough and aim straight for greatness", said  SUSA's John Mandela.

Semifinals (Police Band Ground, South B)

Saturday 4th December

MUFYA vs Team PING - 3PM

Sunday 5th December

SUSA vs Rongai United

The third-place final will be played on Saturday 11th December with the final set for Sunday 12th December at the same venue from 3PM.