Kilifi County Crowned 2024 Dola Super Cup Champions

By Harrison Kivisu

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kilifi County team is this year’s champions of the 2024 Dola Super Cup after exiting Mombasa A team on postmatch penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time.

The nail-biting finals saw Kilifi beat Mombasa 4-3 in penalties before walking away with Sh1 million, a trophy and medals while the runners-up took home Sh500,000 at Mombasa Sports Club.

Mombasa (A) started the match on a positive note through Mark Muliro’s first time thunder shot in the 13 minutes of first half.

In their usual dark yellow jerseys, Mombasa A pulled a show of mighty electrifying the already charged crowd with technical moves thanks to the reinforcement by former Bandari striker Yema Mwana.

But Kilifi team remained a unit that kept on pushing and its determination bore fruits with an equalizer through Hassan Mwambegu who sent Mombasa A goalkeeper on the wrong foot with a 18 yard grass-cutter shot in the 35 minute of the same half.

In attendance to the tightly contested match was the sports chief executive Hussein Mohamed and a host of Mombasa politicians cheered the settled 1-1 draw despite Kilifi dominating the first half of the grand finale.

Speaking after the match, Mombasa A coach Juma Ali Kalato praised his charges saying they played well though lost on penalties after two of their shots were parried by Kilifi goalkeeper.

On his part, Kilifi team captain Michael Haro thanked his teammates for giving their best against their opponents who they had beaten 1-0 in the group preliminary stages at the same venue. 

“The tournament was good. We are the champions and we can say it’s purely team work and spirit is what has propelled us to win. Our mission was to win and we have won,” he said.

Dola group marketing manager Sadam Suleiman encouraged teams to turn up for sponsored tournaments for companies so as to pay back to the communities.

“There is so much talent in the grassroots. We ask the government to do their part by organising similar tournaments to harness these talents,” he said.

In the third playoffs, Mombasa B won the third position on 4-2 penalties against Kwale B after also 1-1 margin the in regular time.

Kwale B took the lead through Abdulla Mdeka in the 18th minute of the first half following a well played connection from the midfield.

Best goalkeeper Said Wagiri from Mombasa A said hard work, determination and team work has made him claim the golden gloves.

“I am happy that the organisers put up a good tournament and being a best goalkeeper I thank God and my team mates for playing on a team spirit,” he said.

Kwale B remained steadfast until the first half despite Mombasa B exerting pressure led by Mohamed Yusuf alias China.

Chuma Mohamed Chuma who had conceded only three goals since the start of intercounty competition remained firm between the posts and dealt with all shots targeted on him.

The second half started with home side coming highly spirited and Solomon Otieno efforts bore fruit in the 89 minute when he equalised for Mombasa B forcing postmatch penalties.

Mombasa B walked home with Sh250,000 prize money while Kwale  won Sh100,000 as fourth in that order.

During his earlier speech before the kickoff, Suleiman said the three month long competition was successful.

“The talents have been very inspiring. The tournament reached over 3,500 youth both directly and indirectly while the impact was felt in the communities,” he said.

The tournament, according to him, was solely made to reach the community, nature talents and engage  youths hence keep them off social vices like drugs and substance use.

“Dola Tournament will be held annually,” he said urging the communities to continue using Dola products to support the firm.

Salmon Otieno, who bagged top scorer award from Mombasa B said his aspirations was to play in big leagues locally and internationally.

“I have played for many clubs and I hope as a golden boot winner I am ready for any assignment by any club that will approach me,” he said.

Kilifi won the best team of the tournament, with Ibrahim Chala from Tana River winning the best upcoming player while Mohamed Roma also from Tana River won the goal of the tournament award and the golden gloves went to Said Wangiri of Mombasa A team.

Others who won awards wer Solomon Otieno of Mombasa B team who bagged top scorer award while Best player award went to Faiswal Dzuya of Kilifi County team.

Mombasa County football association chairman Goshi Juma Ali said the tournament was a success and thanked the Dola Group of Companies for sponsoring the event.