Nairobi lifts amputee football trophy

Albert Mwakenga of Nairobi County (left) and William Ochiba of Kakamega. [Stpehen Rutto, Standard]

Nairobi County Amputee football team emerged tops in the Kenya National Amputee Football Federation (KENAFF) trials in Eldoret.

Nairobi defeated Kakamega 1-0. A provisional national team of 25 amputee footballers for the 2023 African Para Games set for September 3-12 in Accra, Ghana was named on the final day of the trials Sunday at Eldoret National Polytechnic.

An unbeaten Nairobi defeated hosts Uasin Gishu 3-0 at the semi-final as they booked their place in the final thanks to goals from Brian Munga’s brace and Mohamed Munga.

Kakamega made it to the final after winning 4-3 on penalties against Kiambu. Their match had ended 0-0.

Nairobi Amputee football coach Joshua Simiyu said his side had trained well for the national tournament.

“Kakamega was the only strongest team but we worked hard for our win. The players were disciplined and Nairobi County sponsored our transportation to the venue. We started our training in January,” Simiyu said.

KENAFF technical director Hashim Kamau said the team of 25 will be trimmed to 15 ahead of departure to Ghana.

Some of the top players include Turkey-based Nicholas Keiyo from Bomet (Estimesgut amputee football club) as well as Mohamed Munga, Albert Mwakenza and Brian Oroka, all playing for Eyyubiye. Dalmas Otieno, from Kiambu is a former, Eyyubiye player.

The team comprising five players will report to a residential camp in Kasarani from August 3-26.