KPL Under 20 Cup for fallen troops: Ulinzi Stars

Ulinzi Stars have dedicated their Kenyan Premier League Under 20 Championship trophy to the soldiers who were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Somalia and the families who lost their loved ones while on national duty in the strife-torn country in January.

Scores of soldiers were killed when Al-Shabaab terrorists overrun the Kenya Defence Forces camp at El Adde in Somalia.

Ulinzi defender Kevin Ouma was among the soldiers who lost their lives during the attack. Team manager Joe Birgen told Daily Nation Sport that the trophy is in honour of the fallen soldiers.

“We dedicate this trophy to the families of the soldiers who died while serving the country in El Adde and the troops who are still in Somalia. They have made great sacrifices for this country, and this is the only way we can honour them.

“Many of those soldiers are relatives of the youngsters who played for our junior team, which won the trophy. I know that they will feel happy that their young ones have done something good back here,” said the Major General.

Ulinzi junior team, known as Ulinzi Warriors, put up a brilliant performance to edge out stubborn Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 on post-match penalties at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at regular time.

The soldiers had scored first through Moses Mwangi, but their Kakamega-based opponents responded with a second half-goal scored by substitute Hassan Ng’ang’a. The score stood even at the end of the 30 minutes of extra time.

In the spot kicks, Homeboyz lost three chances as Ulinzi converted three of their penalties.

Club chairman James Mwinyikai congratulated the team, saying that it will be maintained for future competitions.

“The soldiers in Somalia have put their lives on the line for the sake of the entire country and we dedicate this win to them. This team will remain intact because we hope to retain the title next year,” he said.

The tournament was open for boys under the age of 20, but there were allegations of age-cheating.

Gor Mahia coach Maurice Onyango, whose team was eliminated at the semi-finals by Ulinzi Warriors, alleged that he had lost to “Methuselahs”, and urged the KPL limited to come up with ways of detecting age-cheating.

“Just look at those boys. Surely none of them is below 20. These are people who are aged 25 and above and we still call this an under 20 competition,” he claimed.

Despite these allegations, the tournament was fairly well-organised, and a number of stars were born including Faraj Ominde (Kakamega Homeboyz Youth), Alex Sunga (Ulinzi Warriors), Andrew Kisilu (Matahre United), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Warriors), Amos Nondi, Joseph Waruinge (both Gor Mahia Youth), and Brian Munyendo (Kakamega Homeboyz) who dazzled fans throughout the fortnight long showpiece.