Cinema fc defeated Githurai United to claim the 2018/2019 Kothbiro football tournament in a final match played at Umeme Grounds.
Cinema’s Steve Opuku capilized on Githurai United goalkeeper Boniface Maundu’s blunder to net the opener in the 19th minute for a final 1-0 win.
Githurai, inspired by Harambee Stars wingback Erick “Marcelo” Ouma who plays for Swedish third tier side Vasalund and Georgia-based Amos Nondi, hustled and bustled to get an equalizer that would’ve sent the match direct to post-match penalties but their efforts were thwarted by a vigilant Cinema backline.
Cinema eliminated Bundes FC 4-3 on post-match penalties in the semis after a goalless draw in regular time to reach the finals. Githurai, on the other hand, saw off a hard-fighting Kingston 1-0 in the other semi-final.
The transitional season in the Kenyan football circles has forced the Kothbiro organizers to shift their calendar from the traditional December season to June/July henceforth.
This means this year’s edition will be staged in June/July with the Under-19 Kothbiro Junior competition being played in December.
Bundes, who came third after beating Kingston 2-0 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time in the third-place playoff on Friday, collected Sh75,000 while Kingston got Sh50,000 courtesy of sponsors SportPesa.
The Most Valuable Player Ali Abubakar (Bundes FC), best goalkeeper Victor Khatili (Bundes FC) and top scorer Reddie Eninga (Shauri Moyo), were handed Sh10,000 each.
The best goalkeeper also bagged two pairs of gloves courtesy of former Kenyan international custodian Arnold Origi.