Kilifi crowned Dola Super Cup champions

Champions Kilifi County (in green) being awarded trophy after triumphing in the three month long Dola Super Cup football tournamnet.[Courtesy]

Kilifi County are the 2024 Dola Super Cup champions after edging Mombasa 'A' 4-3 on post match penalties in a nail biting final staged on Sunday evening at the Mombasa Sports Club.

The sides had battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation where Mark Muliro opened the scoresheet for Mombasa with a thunderbolt in the 13th minute before Hassan Mwambegu equalised for the champions in the 35th.

Kilifi walked home with the coveted Sh 1 million  grand prize for their feat while Mombasa 'A' were awarded Sh 500,000 for their effort.

In the third place playoffs, Mombasa 'B'  beat Kwale 'B' 4-2  after a 1- 1 draw in regular time to complete the podium. Mombasa 'B' walked home with Sh 250,000 as their rivals awarded Sh 100,000 for their fourth place finish.

Despite their loss in the finals, Mombasa 'A' still bagged the Best Goalkeeper Award which went to their custodian Saidi Wagiri who walked home with the Golden Gloves.

Solomon Otieno of Mombasa 'B' bagged the Golden Boot Award on nine goals which came with a Sh 50,000 prize. Faisal Dzuya of Kilifi won the same amount after bagging the Most Valuable Player award.

"I'm much ready to feature for any top club, especially in the Kenyan Premier League, who would require my services,"elated Otieno said.

Other rewards included Best Team (Kilifi), Best Upcoming Player (Ibrahim Chana of Tana River), Best Manager (Burhan Mahadhi of Kilifi) and Goal Of the Tournament (Mahmud Roba of Tana River).

While commenting on their flawless run in the five-day inter-counties Grand Finale which culminated after a three-month battle at the grassroots, Kilifi team captain Michael Haro praised his side for giving their all in the competition, especially against formidable opponents who were billed as the tournament favourites.

"Team work and self motivation made us champions, our mission was to win and we are glad to have the trophy," Haro underlined.

Faisal Dzuya of Kilifi who bagged the Most Valuable Player award and Sh 50,000.[Courtesy]

Dola Group Marketing Manager Sadam Suleiman thanked the teams who turned up for the three month football showpiece saying the competition was key in unearthing sleepy talents at the coast.

"If the private sector and the Government work together to showcase similar tournaments, then more amazing talents will be discovered, not only at the coast but across the country," stated Suleiman.

"The tournament reached over 3,500 youths, both direct and indirect and the impact will be felt in the communities in the years to come, we have proposed to make the tournament now an annual event," added Suleiman.

Mombasa County Football Association Chairman Juma Goshi Ali termed the tournament a success, thanking the sponsors for making it happen.

"The event achieved its intended purpose,we identified talents that you will see in the big league soon, and we are promising a bigger and better tournament next year,"said Goshi.