By Shadrack Nyakoe
Sakaja Super Cup champions Githurai All Stars and Dandora United will mark the kick-off of the second edition of the tournament as the football fever grips Nairobi.
The newly refurbished Dandora Stadium will host the opening ceremony and the Githurai All Stars versus Dandora United fixture marking the launch of the 2024 tournament on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2pm.
The Sakaja Super Cup aims to foster grassroots football development across Nairobi, offering young talents an unparalleled platform to showcase their skills. Following the launch match, the tournament will officially begin on Mashujaa Day, Sunday, October 20, with matches taking place across Nairobi the city of Nairobi .
Speaking ahead of the launch, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said, “We are thrilled to bring back this tournament for the second time. It’s an opportunity to unite communities, nurture talent, and celebrate our shared love for the beautiful game. We expect even more electrifying football this year.”
Teams from all corners of Nairobi are set to battle it out for top honors in a competition that promises to be bigger and better, offering the ultimate opportunity for players to impress scouts who will be at various venues shopping for talent.
Players who shine during the tournament stand a chance to directly join Natioal Super League (NSL) Nairobi United FC or the Nairobi United Football Academy which are owned by the Johnson Saakaja Foundation sponsors of the Sakaja Super Cup.
Githurai All-Stars, from Githurai 45 in Roysambu Sub-County, emerged victorious in the inaugural Sakaja Cup 2023.
They claimed a thrilling 6-5 win in post-match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate during normal regulation and extra time against Starehe Sub-County’s Kawasaki FC of Landi Mawe to earn Kshs 3 million winner’s cash prize.
Makadara based Michezo Halisi Kenya outclassed Slum Scorers from Mathare 4-2 in the women’s competition third place play off match to win a Sh250,000 cash prize.
In the men’s third place play off, Victor’s Faith FC from Kasarani defeated Kibagare Slums FC from Westlands in a terse penalty shoot out, winning 8-7.
The best fan base was not left out. They were rewarded Sh300,000, Sh200,000, and Sh100,000 for the first, second and third placed respectively.
A total of 300 men’s and 34 ladies’ teams participated in the tournament, with 20 men’s and 2 ladies’ teams representing each Sub-County.
The tournament sponsored by the Sakaja Foundation in partnership with the Nairobi City County government and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was played in all 85 wards in Nairobi with 340 teams taking part.
The tournament organisers aimed to nurture and expose talents at the grassroots.
