Utawala Youth win Mureithi Challenge Cup

MUREITHI CHALLENGE CUP Utawala's Alex Nyamweno (left) battle Dallas' Stephen Kamua during Hon Mureithi football final in Soweto Grounds on Sunday December 14, 2015. [COURTESY]

Utawala Youth defeated Dallas FC 5-4 on post-match penalties to lift the inaugural Francis Mureithi Challenge Cup played at Soweto Grounds, Kayole.
The two sides played out to a barren in normal time on a rainy Sunday evening.

The teams went to the breather level after they failed to convert the few chances they both created.

Apart from the trophy, Utawala Youth walked home Sh200,000 richer with the runners’ up pocketing Sh150,000.
Francis Mureithi, the sponsor said the tournament is an empowerment initiative for the youth at the grassroots. “This will be an annual Challenge Cup and will run for three consecutive years.

“Next year it will be bigger because we are planning to include the women category. This is a way of tapping and nurturing young talent and also keeping the youth away from evil things,” said Mureithi.

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The competition’s ambassador, former Harambee Star player Musa Otieno said the competition is a good platform where talent can be tapped. “I also started from competitions like this one. Through grassroots football, we can identify very good players. We are here to try and help these youths to step up to the next level in their career,” said Otieno who is also the Harambee Stars assistant coach. FC Barca won the third position after they defeated Kinsan, 6-5, also on post-match penalties after a one-all draw in normal time.

Ibrahim Elias opened the scores for FC Barca in the 30th minute. On resumption, Kinsan intensified attacks and their efforts paid off as Raymond Chege scored an equaliser with only five minutes on the clock remaining to take the match into post match penalties. FC Barca pocketed Sh100,000 for their efforts while fourth-placed Kinsan went home with Sh50,000.

The competition started in October on a league format and attracted 38 teams from Utawala, Mihang’o and Aviation in Embakasi.

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water and Irrigation Eugine Wamalwa was present in Soweto where he lauded the initiative saying it will help the youth.