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Kwale united crowned Tujiamini Cheza Dimba national champions in historic victory
Kwale United made history on Sunday, February 16, 2025, by emerging as the inaugural Tujiamini Cheza Dimba National Champions, after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Eldoret FC in the grand finale of the Tujiamini Festival held at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi. This triumph marked a historic moment for the team from the Coast region, who battled through a highly competitive tournament to take home the prestigious title.
The tournament, which has quickly gained traction across the country, saw a thrilling weekend of football action as regional champions from across Kenya gathered for the grand showdown. Kwale United had navigated their way to the final after impressive wins on Saturday. They defeated Megastars in the quarterfinals before securing a 2-1 victory over Kisumu City Stars in a gripping semifinal encounter, making their path to the final an exciting one.
In the final, Kwale United’s captain Austine Mbogo delivered the decisive moment of the match in the first half, curling in a sublime freekick that left the Eldoret FC goalkeeper stranded. The 30th-minute goal was a thing of beauty and proved to be the game-changer. Despite a strong second-half response from Eldoret FC, who pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Kwale United held firm and defended their slim lead with resilience and discipline.
Kwale United’s defensive line, marshaled by Hamisi Masusa’s tactical setup, thwarted every attempt from Eldoret to break through, ensuring they remained solid at the back. The final whistle brought jubilant scenes as the underdogs from the Coast region were crowned champions of the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba tournament.
Austine Mbogo and Hamisi Masusa reflect on the historic win
Reflecting on the victory, Kwale United captain Austine Mbogo could hardly contain his joy. “We feel really good to emerge as the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba national champions,” said Mbogo. “There is no better feeling than working hard for something and then getting the results. We just want to thank SportPesa for the Tujiamini initiative, which offers great support to talented individuals at the grassroots level.”
For Kwale United head coach Hamisi Masusa, the win was a testament to the hard work and determination of the team. “This victory means so much to us,” Masusa said after the final. “We’ve always had the talent, but platforms like SportPesa’s Tujiamini initiative have given us the exposure and the resources to take our game to the next level. May God bless SportPesa because they have empowered us and given us a major platform to showcase our talent, which we had been struggling to find?”
The Tujiamini Cheza Dimba tournament: A platform for grassroots talent
The Tujiamini Cheza Dimba tournament, powered by leading online gaming firm SportPesa, has become an important platform for young, aspiring footballers to showcase their skills. With a total of nine men’s teams and a women’s category, the tournament brought together some of the best regional teams that had excelled throughout the year-long Tujiamini program, which visited several regions across the country.
In the men’s category, participants included:
The competition was fierce, with each team bringing their best to the field in hopes of lifting the coveted Tujiamini title. Kwale United's victory was particularly remarkable, given their relatively low profile coming into the tournament. Their rise to the top showed the depth of talent that exists beyond the well-known footballing hubs in Kenya.
In the women’s category, it was Uhola Queens from the Nyanza Region who came out on top. The final, which saw Uhola Queens square off against Green Blades SPASS, was a nail-biting affair that ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time. However, Uhola Queens kept their composure in the penalty shootout, winning 3-2 to clinch the title and make their mark in the competition.
Exhibition match and sportPesa FC’s triumph
In addition to the main competition, an exhibition match was played as part of the event’s festivities. SportPesa FC made sure the bragging rights remained with them, as they triumphed in a round-robin, three-team tournament that included Dandora Legends and Sports Journalists of Kenya (SJAK) FC.
SportPesa FC drew 0-0 with Dandora Legends in their opening match but bounced back in spectacular fashion to defeat SJAK FC 5-1, clinching the overall win based on superior goal difference. In the other clash, Dandora Legends and SJAK FC played to a 2-2 draw, ensuring SportPesa FC had the bragging rights by the end of the tournament.
Looking ahead: The future of Tujiamini and sportpesa’s continued support
As the curtain fell on the first edition of the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba National Championship, there was a sense of excitement about what the future holds. The success of this year’s tournament highlighted the potential of grassroots football in Kenya and the role SportPesa is playing in nurturing and developing talent at the grassroots level.
The Tujiamini initiative will continue into its second year, with SportPesa pledging to invest up to Ksh 70 million in funding to support talent across the country. This will not only provide more opportunities for young footballers but also ensure that the platform keeps growing, with more teams and regions participating.
“We are excited about the second year of the Tujiamini initiative,” said SportPesa representatives. “Our aim is to give back to the communities by fostering the growth of talent and providing a professional stage for young athletes. This tournament is just one of the many ways we are committed to making a lasting impact on the local football scene.”
As the second year kicks off, it’s clear that the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba tournament will continue to serve as an essential stepping stone for young talent to reach new heights in Kenyan football. For teams like Kwale United, who have defied expectations, this is just the beginning of what could be a bright future on the national and international stage.
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