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Defending champions Blue Blue retained their men’s crown as Kilifi Elite won the maiden women’s title at the tournament sponsored by Harambee Starlets ace Esse Akida’s foundation.
Defending champions Blue Blue retained their title as Kilifi Elite won the first-ever women’s crown as the three-day Esse Akida Foundation tournament came to an end at the Mkoroshoni Grounds in Kilifi County on Sunday.
Blue Blue retained their crown after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mekoan, while Elite won the women’s title with a 4-2 post-match penalty result over a resilient Majajani Queens.
Meanwhile, Young Atomic claimed the men’s third place after edging out home side Ubuntu by a solitary goal.
In the men’s final, Blue Blue were determined to retain their trophy and were on top from the start of action. They got the lead early in the first half through Emmanuel Haro, whose strike from the edge of the box went beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
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11:28 - 29.12.2024
Confirmed: It’s Blue Blue vs Mekoan at Esse Akida Foundation tourney final
Esse Akida Foundation tournament is aimed at nurturing talent in the Coastal region.
Despite pressure from Mekoan, they managed to hold onto their lead until halftime.
The holders then doubled their tally early in the second half, when Emmanuel Podo’s well-struck freekick from the edge of the box landed into the bottom left of the keeper. It was a deserved lead for Blue, who had been offensive right from the start.
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However, Mekoan piled pressure in the last quarter of the game, and they managed to pull one back through Samson Juma. The midfielder struck from the edge of the box after a freekick was defended right into his path.
Despite some late pressure, Blue Blue managed to guard their lead to retain the title.
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11:10 - 28.12.2024
Holders Blue Blue battle into Esse Akida Foundation tourney semis
The tournament is in its second edition this year. Former international Esse Akida wans it to become an annual competition.
Meanwhile in the girls’ final, Kilifi Elite were pushed to the edge by a youthful Majajani, and had to rely on their experience in penalties to win 4-3 after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
Josephine Kitsao, Alvine Lhalenya, Florida Bokole and Salama Mariga scored for Elite while Esther Pendo, Monika Muangana and Zeinab Kadzo were on target for Majajani as Asma Taura and Hawa Nazi saw their efforts go wide.
Taura, 12, the youngest player in the tournament, was awarded as the best upcoming player while Bokole won the women’s MVP award. Mekoan’s Juma was named the men’s MVP.
Winners of the tournament walked home with Sh30,000 while the losing finalists won Sh20,000. Third place attracted Sh15,000 courtesy of the Esse Akida Foundation.
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10:29 - 04.11.2024
‘I could wait until January’ - Why Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida is not in hurry to get new club
Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida is still without a club since leaving Greek giants PAOK in July but she is not jumping at offers coming her way over a number of reasons.
All five girls’ teams which participated in the tournament were given sanitary towels and sports undergarments by Wecheza.
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