Koth Biro back to back winners A1000 street was the shock of the annual event when they were bundled out the tournament in group stages.
As curtains came down this Wednesday in the group stages of the 2017 annual Kothbiro Football tournament A1000 Street was the biggest shocker is the exit.
The Kaloleni based and three times back to back and defending champions A1000 Street elimination will give an opportunity for another champion.
This was the last match of the group stages and A1000 needed a win whilst their opponents, Eastleigh North would be able to sail through with any draw. The first match was uneventful and ended in a barren draw. The second half began on a high tempo with both sides displaying good footballing skills but A1000 getting the better of the ball with excellent team work. On the 49’ they were rewarded by an excellent goal by a Vincent Otieno low and hard shot.
The defending champions were now fully in charge of the match and the over two thousand fans on the ground were on the feet enjoying the beautiful game when a fan linked to A1000 descended on a linesman attacking him without any provocation. That ugly incident, the only one this season, was enough for the match officials to call it off and the match awarded to Eastleigh as per the laid down tournament rules on hooliganism and insecurity.
A1000 street join other big teams that have made an early exit including last season’s semi-finalists Nyoi, quarter-finalists Interdjinamorry and Headquarters, and round of 16 placed Flats Tornadoes and Cheza Ukipenda.
Their exits herald the rise of teams to watch including FIFA Best, Team GAA-Huruma, Beirut, Umeme Bees, Githurai All Stars and Borrussia.
The round of 16 knock-outs kick-off on Thursday 14 at the Ziwani Sports Grounds and goes all through to the 23rd. All matches to be played at 3pm daily. There will be a break on 20 and 21 December with coaches from the Spanish La Liga conducting a soccer clinic with Umeme Bees and Opitos respectively. The two teams will then clash on the 22.
The finals are slated for January 7, 2018 and the winner will walk away with three hundred thousand, first runner-up one hundred thousand, third place seventy five thousand and fourth placed team will settle with fifty thousand shillings all courtesy of leading sports gaming company, SportPesa. The best goal-keeper will receive ten thousand cash and two pairs of gloves courtesy of Arnold Origi.
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