Talanta Hela U19 ladies and men’s teams were in a class of their own when they outshined their opponents on the opening day of the Costa Daurada Cup played in Tarragona, Spain.
The teams were formed following the conclusion of the inaugural Talanta Hela U19 football tournament played last year. Their trip to Spain was facilitated by the Ministry of Sports through the Kenya Academy of Sports.
The boys started their campaign on a high, defeating CF Constantine 3-0 in their opening match at the CD Riudoms Stadium in Tarragona, Spain.
Despite the chilly weather, the determined boys fought on, scoring through Alex Kipruto, Elisha Nalianya, and Derrick Oketch.
They would then bounce back to winning ways after seeing off X Buyer Team A 4-0 in their final match of the day.
Speaking after the win, the men’s coach Stanley Okumbi noted that the team was excited to be in the Spanish Nation, hence their good performance. The boys arrived in Spain on Sunday 24 in the morning hours. Despite the jetlag, they pulled off a good one.
“On Sunday, the boys’ had a recovery training session after the long flight, focusing on speed passing to adjust to the surface and mental preparation for the matches. Everything went as planned. Winning both matches is crucial for the team,” he started.
With the wins now behind them, the coach called for more tournaments to expose the players to high-intensity matches. He noted that initiatives like the Talanta Hela were crucial for the growth of football in the country.
“More tournaments are needed for player exposure, benefiting not only the team but also the national teams in Malawi. This direction is essential for the country’s football development,” he concluded.
They will play their final match against Usurbil FT.
Ladies Run
The Talanta Hela U19 ladies football team overpowered CE Jupiter 4-0 in their opening match. They scored through Elizabeth Mideva (brace), Marion Musanga, and Hilda Natecho.
The girls’ coach Jackline Juma praised her charges for the impressive win, noting that it was an encouragement for them to punch above weight.
“Such tournaments provide invaluable exposure for players, contributing to the development of football in the country. This is a good start and I always encourage them to do their best because they never know who is watching,” Juma said.
They will play their next match against Sporting de Portugal on Tuesday 26.
About the MIC Football Camp
The MIC Football is an international youth football tournament that brings to Costa Brava some of the best academies in the world. Every Easter thousands of boys and girls from five continents have the opportunity to feel like professionals and compete against some of the future football stars.
The girls’ squad will form part of the Costa Daurada Cup competitors which is a popular event that takes place on the beautiful coast of Costa Daurada. The tournament has attracted over 200 football teams from across Europe which will feature in different categories.
The Costa Daurada Cup runs twice throughout the year – one in spring and one in summer. It is open to boys’ teams aged U8 to U19, girls’ teams aged U11 to U16, and adult ladies’ teams.
