Hippos dethrone holders Ulinzi Legends

Hippos FC players lift the trophy at the end of their Kulundeng' Original Fiesta Tournament final match against Ulinzi Legends at Parklands Sports Club, Nairobi on November 4, 2023.[Simon Oiro, Standard]

The fourth edition of Kulundeng’ Original Fiesta Tournament ended with a surprise winner over the weekend.

Hippos FC lifted their maiden title after stunning holders Ulinzi Legends 2-1 in the final at Parklands Sports Club, Nairobi on Saturday.

The new champions pocketed Sh200,000 in prize money, while Ulinzi walked home with Sh150,000.

This year’s edition was held in honour of former Gor Mahia and Donholm Seniors FC player Raphael Asudi who collapsed and died during a friendly match in August 2023.

By extension, the month-long knock-out tournament which attracted 16 non-professional teams mainly from Nairobi, Machakos, and Thika focused on sensitising sports personalities to the dangers of long-term injuries sustained from football activities.

Kulundeng’ Original Group CEO Collins Bob said the main objective of the annual event is to bring together non-professional football stakeholders and have fun.

“The Fiesta has five main objectives namely; contributing to the development of football by delivering social and community benefits flowing from participation in sports; providing a positive environment for members to develop physically, socially, intellectually, and health-wise through sports; encouraging and growing rates of participation in sports at all levels and cross-gender; demonstrating the economic and social values of sports; and giving back to the society by helping the less fortunate through CSR,” said Bob.

Before the final, Kenya’s Emerging Law Firms lost 2-1 to Wakili Veterans of Tanzania in the first exhibition match at the same venue while Bunge FC trounced Harambee Stars Legends 4-3.

Extreme Sports Limited CEO Hussein Mohammed was the chief guest of the tournament which was also graced by Lang'ata MP Phelix ‘Jalang'o’ Odiwuor and former Laikipia County First Lady, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Treasurer of the Commonwealth Lawyers East and Central Africa Maria Mbeneka.

On individual awards, former AFC Leopards and Posta Rangers striker Marselas Ingotsi (Hippos FC) was named the Most Valuable Player with the ladies’ award going to Lucy Mukhwana of Ulinzi Legends.

Former Kenyan international Francis Ochieng (Ulinzi Legends) retained the golden gloves award, while ex-Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Abondo (Kulundeng’ Original FC) shared the golden boot gong with James Irungu (Thika Vitambi FC), Marselas Ingotsi (Hippos FC), Denis Odhiambo (Hippos FC), Boraafya Omar (Ulinzi Legends) after scoring three goals each.