Thousands of fans were left disappointed as Al Azizia FC, a crowd favourite, was defeated by local rivals Ikuu Spider FC in a thrilling match during the Eastern leg of the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Football Tournament at Kinoru Stadium in Meru County.
Despite Al Azizia FC’s formidable dominance throughout the game, their luck turned in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw at full time. Ikuu Spider FC emerged victorious with a 5-4 win, much to the dismay of the Al Azizia fans who had turned up to cheer on their team.
In an exciting day of football that drew a large crowd to the stadium, Ikuu Spider FC clinched a three-year, annual football sponsorship of Ksh250,000, including playing kits, with their surprise win. Coach Elijah Maore credited the team’s success to regular training and readiness for competitions, along with a stroke of luck.
With aspirations to play in the National Super League, Coach Maore expressed satisfaction with the win, highlighting its significance for the community team, which, like most budding clubs, struggles to meet players’ obligations and match fixture requirements.
“I am grateful to the team for showing up and remaining spirited throughout the tournament. This win will go a long way in facilitating our match fixtures in future competitions,” said Maore.
Captain Isa Muriki welcomed the sponsorship, acknowledging that it would help raise the fortunes of the Maua-based club in Meru County. Despite their disappointment, Al Azizia FC’s captain, Dennis Gikundi, expressed optimism, stating that the team would focus on improving their penalty handling skills.
The Tujiamini Cheza Dimba regional football tournament, powered by SportPesa Kenya, continues to heat up with the conclusion of the Eastern region leg. The initiative now moves to the North Rift region, promising more exciting matches and showcasing grassroots football talent from across Kenya.
Tujiamini is an initiative by leading sports betting firm in Kenya that seeks to provide a platform, including up to Ksh30 million in funding, for individual and team sports talent. The year-long campaign travels around the country, evoking a sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
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