The Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars have extended their unbeaten run during their stay in Spain by winning comfortably against local teams and demonstrating Kenya burgeoning football talent on the third day of their elite training camp.
At the Federación Aragonesa de Fútbol, in a match that was heavily tilted in favor of the boys, the All-Stars tore apart SD Valdefierro 6-0. Brian Aroko and Armstrong Omondi both scored two goals each, Lokonde Mwale and Felix Manguti contributed one goal each thus, they made sure that the home team was dominated from the get-go. Coach Evan Oketch, singing his squad high energy, had this to say:
“I always view a game as a must-win scenario because the players are in a working mood. They brought their instruments to play and showcase their talent and this is the reason why they are playing so superbly. Not always can victories be guaranteed, but for a team that plays good football, the possibility is higher, and that is the reason why we have been able to win all our games with many goals.
The match during today was really good. My boys were indeed very energetic and were able to keep up the game throughout. We conceded a goal in our first match but we made sure today we did not concede.”
The girls team was not to be outdone as they also lit up the Zaragoza Playing Grounds with their nerves-wracking win against Zaragoza CFF 6-4. Swaumu Masungo got a hat-trick, Hellen Mito netted twice for the team, and Sharon Asado scored the final goal. Player Sheilla Juma reminisced how they have grown as a team:
“Our first match which ended in a draw and today’s game was a big contrast in terms of performance. We showed lots of progress and the feeling was great playing against the Spanish side. This is my first time playing and winning in Spain, which I would say is a dream come true.
We tried to do what we have been instructed in the last three days and it really worked for us. We were quick in playing the ball and our opponents were beaten by us because of that.”
Indeed, these friendlies wrapped up a day filled to the brim with activities by the young athletes. They were both very busy as they made a trip to Podoactiva, Europe’s biggest podiatry and biomechanics center situated at Huesca’s Walqa Technology Park, before the matches. The center that does foot diagnostics, provides custom insoles, chiropody and surgery for the sportspeople both pros and amateurs, is a door to sports careers not related to playing.
There are many possibilities in front of us: Hellen Mito and Martha Simiyu Nafula were with SD Huesca’s senior women’s team for the session while Derrick Oketch and Brian Aroko did gym work for the men’s senior squad before they started drills on the pitch today.
The boys are not going to stop tonight as they will play another friendly against SD Huesca C at the Huesca Academy Grounds for the camp to be able to continue developing Kenya next generation of stars.