Kianyaga Football Club (FC) has booked a spot in Governor Anne Waiguru’s Minji Minji Football Cup finals after edging out Kiburu FC in a tense penalty shout out.
This is after the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time during a thrilling semi-final encounter played this weekend at the Mwea GK Prisons Grounds.
Kianyaga FC will face off with either Kiamaina FC or Kaitheri FC in final match to be played at Wang’uru Stadium on Sunday.
The winning team will walk away with KSh1.5 million, while the runners-up will take home KSh1 million. The team finishing third will pocket KSh750,000, while the fourth-placed team will walk away with KSh500,000.
Kianyaga captain Dennis Kariuki hailed the tournament for its transformative impact on young people.
“We are very thankful to Governor Anne Waiguru for commissioning this tournament because it has brought out all the youth,” he said.
Kariuki further emphasized the team’s ambition going into the final. “We have never had such a big tournament, with a prize of Ksh. 1.5 million. We are planning to win the tournament and go home with the top prize.”
Despite the defeat, Kiburu FC captain Kennedy Maina said the team had come a long way to get to the semi-finals. “The games have been very tough and we have come a long way as a team. To reach this far in the league, we thank God and we are proud of the effort we put in.”
The second semi-final which pitted Kiamaina FC against Kaitheri FC was aborted in second round following disagreement over a penalty awarded against Kiamaina FC by the referee. The two teams will meet for a replay later in the week.
County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Dennis Musyimi, described the semi-finals as a culmination of weeks of thrilling football.
“The tournament has gone on well, helping keep our youth away from drug and substance abuse. The turnout has been great across all the games, and now the teams that win today will face off at the finals.” Musyimi said.
The Governor Anne Waiguru’s Minji Minji Football Cup has grown into one of the biggest grassroots tournaments in Kenya, not only providing a platform for talent development but also offering life-changing rewards.
