Nairobi News

Resilience, power, determination and class characterised the final day of the first edition of the Sakaja Super Cup as the best performing teams from Nairobi West and Nairobi East clashed for top honours at the Police Sacco Stadium, on December 19, 2023.

Fine touches, razor sharp passes and a display of spectacular skill are words fit to describe the grand finale of the tournament as Club Jojo and Githurai All Stars were crowned champions of Nairobi in front of a packed stadium.

Fans started streaming into the stadium as early as 9:00 am as the first match of the day pitting Michezo Halisi against Slum scorers for third place kicked off.

By noon, fans from Githurai filled the venue in their numbers ahead of the finale.

Kawasaki Sports fans from across the road in South ‘C’ estate filled up the other terraces as the stage was se for an electrifying final between Nairobi West’s Kawasaki Sports Club and Nairobi East’s Githurai All Stars, fondly refered to as GAS.

Makadara based Michezo Halisi Kenya outclassed Slum Scorers from Mathare 4-2 in the women’s competition third place play off match to win a Sh250,000 cash prize.

In the men’s third place play off, Victor’s Faith FC from Kasarani defeated Kibagare Slums FC from Westlands in a terse penalty shoot out, winning 8-7.

Then came the ladies finals.

Hard pressing queens from Kayole in Nairobi East region Club Jojo scored two first half goals to be crowned queens of Nairobi, while completely outshining Kibagare Girls from Westlands 2-0.

Partnering with winger Faith Boke, Akinyi lead by example leading her charges against Kibagare in a match they dominated from the first whistle.

It was joy and jubilation as the Kayole based girls side were crowned champions winning the grand prize of one million shillings.

Kibagare Girls goal keeper had to put extra efforts to stop constant attacks from a charged Club Jojo frontline who kept calling at her post.

Club Jojo won the Sh 1million top prize and the glittering trophy while the runners up Kibagare bagged the second prize of Ksh 500,000.

In the charged men’s final, it was all fireworks as Githurai All Stars won 5-4 against Kawasaki Sports Club on post-match penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw to clinch the title and bag the Sh3 million cash prize.

Fine touches, razor sharp passes and a display of spectacular skill are words fit to describe the grand finale of the tournament. Both teams displayed a sense of urgency, zeal and determination to win as they played out a goal less first half.

It was Githurai’s technical bench that utilized the half time break well as they went all out in search of a goal to break the deadlock.

Githurai captain Teddy Ouko played a clever ball to striker Douglas Manga who broke into the box only to be brought down and the referee awarded a penalty which was bitterly contested by the Kawasaki players.

Midfield maestro Kevin Kimani calmly beat keeper Mike Bolinda to Githurai ahead.

But all was not over as Albert Sunday scored from a set piece after Victor Madegwa’s corner kick found him with space to force a one all draw before the match went into post match penalties.

The best fan base was not left out.

They were rewarded Sh300,000, Sh200,000, and Sh100,000 for the first, second and third placed respectively.

The tournament sponsored by the Sakaja Foundation in partnership with the Nairobi City County government and Football Kenya Federation commenced in September 2023 and was played in all 85 wards in Nairobi with 340 teams taking part.

The tournament organisers aimed to nurture and expose talents at the grassroots.