Talanta Hela U19 boys’ team emerged the winners of the 2024 Costa Daurada Cup after thrashing Usurbil FT 3-0 in the final match played at the Futbol Salou Stadium in Tarragona, Spain on Thurday 28 March. The side has not tasted a loss in the Spanish nation. They started their campaign with a 3-0 win over CF Constantine before seeing off X Buyer Team A 4-0. They ended their pool matches with a 2-0 win over Usurbil FT to proceed to the semifinals.At the semifinal stage, the determined boys defeated Berango FT 2-0 to cruise to the final stage where they registered a massive 3-0 win over Usurbil FT.##NAJAVA_MECA_7984644##Austin Odongo scored a brace while Hamisi Otieno added a goal to see the youngsters emerge victorious.Speaking after the match, a visibly excited coach Stanley Okumbi praised his charges’ impressive performance, noting that they matched his expectations. Firat: Four nations performances a morale booster ahead of World Cup qualifiers”It was a great game. The boys really turned up well. They played according to expectations. We will build from here as we aim to make this team stronger in future. These boys are capable of achieving more,” Okumbi said.Austin Odongo and William Gitamu were crowned the tournament’s top point scorers. They scored three goals each.The girls finished their campaign at position two after going down 2-0 to Sporting de Portugal in a closely contested match that was decided on post-match penalties.The match was a repeat of their second pool match where they saw off the Portuguese side 3-2. Following the tournament, the youngsters will head to the MIC Camp where they will be looking to sharpen their skills further under the close watch of celebrated international coaches.
