Defender Majid Hussein’s first goal for Milan Youth FC and Erick Ombija’s stoppage time strike against Chala Youngsters ensured the Taveta-based team booked their ticket to the final of the Taita-Taveta County Football Association mini-league.
This was the third time this season the two teams met and Rashid Dhahabu’s side ensured dominance over their neighbours.
Milan beat the Youngsters home and away in the regular season.
Dhahabu said he has rectified the mistakes that saw them finish fourth in the mini-league in the last edition of the Kenya Ports Authority-sponsored league.
“We analysed last season’s performance and saw some gaps that we had to address in the transfer market,” said Dhahabu after the match played at the Moi Stadium in Voi.
Chala Youngsters coach Gideon Mutuku however, cried foul saying he was handicapped in the mini-league.
He said other teams were allowed to sign players outside the transfer window, a matter refuted by the Football Association.
“Taita-Taveta county has talented players but the set rules must be followed to the letter. I saw players from different teams that did not qualify for the mini-league but were my opponents in the mini-league,” said Mutuku.
He said Milan Youth were too strong for them in the semi-final because they made signings for the mini-league but he did not improve his squad.
Milan Youth was one of the three teams that represented Taveta sub-county in the mini-league proving their status as the football powerhouse in the county.
The others, Kimala FC and Chala Youngsters, failed to fulfill Taveta residents’ dream of a Taveta derby final.
Kimala FC yielded in the second half of the other semi-final played at the Police ground in Voi, conceding three to defending champions Gunners FC.
The results set up an interesting final between Gunners and Milan Youth, who also met in the opening game of the mini-league.
Then, Milan came from behind to beat Gunners 2-1.
Dhahabu however, insisted that the Gunners will be stronger in this second meeting.
“I believe they will come with a different strategy. We will approach the game in a different way,” the Milan coach said.
KPA sponsored the Taita-Taveta County Football Association league to the tune of Sh10.2 million.
KPA’s Sudi Mwasinago is expected to be the chief guest at the final to be played at the Moi Stadium, Voi.
Dhahabu and Mutuku said the KPA sponsorship has helped raise the quality of the league because teams now can sign quality players.