AFC Leopards legends draws with Evergreen as 2023 Wazee Pamoja Ligi Cup kicks off
Football
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Mar 19, 2023
AFC Leopards Legends drew 4-4 with Evergreen FC in the opening game of the 2023 Wazee Pamoja Ligi Cup played at Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi on Sunday.
Former Harambee Stars legends Maurice Sunguti (18th minute) Wilson Anakeya (20th), Washington Khamati (33rd) and Ezekiel Akwana (52nd) found the back of the net for AFC Leopards Legends.
In reply, Evergreen scored through Flavian Otieno (9th minute), Tyson Onyango (54th) and Cisqo Caleb (58th and 64th).
"The game was balanced, we are happy with the capacity crowd that turned up to cheer both sides," Evergreen captain Tom Dola said.
Nicholas Muyoti who skippered the rivals hailed his side for staging a splendid show in the opening half which they purely dominated.
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"This game was ours to lose, we led with three superior goals in the first half but our laxity on resumption saw the opponents leveled the scores, this shows that we are a work in progress, we will find our foothold as the league progresses," Muyoti stated. Wazee Pamoja Ligi Cup Secretary General Vincent Omolo (left) receives Sh 1 Million check donation from Bongobongo Bet Operations and Marketing Manager Kimani Kimemia (righ) at Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi.[Courtesy]
Both sides, including eight other teams were fully kitted by league sponsors Bongobongo Bet who also injected Sh 1 Million support in the competition expected to run for ten months.
"We feel greatly honored to be part of this initiative, with this sponsorship we look forward to a more vibrant and exciting season," Bongobongo Bet Operations and Marketing Manager Kimani Kimemia stated.
"The Sh 1 million will be used to cater for the league logistics including match day expenses and kits. Our other objective for embracing this tournament is to create awareness on mental health which resonates with our mission as a company," Kimemia added.
League Secretary General Vincent Omolo hailed the sponsorship saying it has relieved a great financial burden from the officials running the competition that is a viable platform for Kenyan football legends and former Harambee Stars players to meet, interact and network.
"This league acts as a platform for legends to inspire upcoming players who will be present at various venues to watch them.
"The competition will be played in various designated venues namely; the Camp Toyoyo Grounds, Jericho Grounds, Absa Grounds along Thika Highway and Tena Grounds and Tumaini Primary School Grounds in Umoja Estate.
The league is open to players from 35 years and above," Omolo underlined.
Apart from AFC Legends and Evergreen, other sides seeking honors in the competition are Comrades FC, Prisons FC, Absa Bank Kenya FC, Tipples FC, Jambo FC, Lounge De Amor FC, Madiwa Wazee FC and Five Q FC.