Kabonyo-Kanyagwal seal ‘Opich Pacho’ title in Kisumu

Kabonyo-Kanyagwal FC beat Kolwa Central 2-0 in a thrilling final match on Sunday to be crowned winners of ‘Opich Pacho’ football tournament at Jomo Kenyatta Sportsground in Kisumu.

The seven-a-side grass root football tournament, which was a partnership between the Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) and Kisumu County government, brought together 35 teams from a cross the county over the last three weeks.

Both teams reached the final of the competition via penalty shootouts after they were held to barren draws by their respective semi-final opponents.

Kolwa Central FC bundled out Kajulu FC 3-2 on penalties in the first semi-final match, while Kabonyo-Kanyagwal also beat Railways FC by a similar score line in the second semi-final match.

In the final, Kolwa Central threatened to score via a corner-kick in the second minute but Enock Odhiambo neutralised the threat for Kabonyo-Kanyagwal.

Kolwa goalkeeper George Odhiambo kept out Enock Odhiambo’s long-range strike as the teams went into half-time with the scores 0-0. Upon reumption, Kabonyo-Kanyagwal’s Pinto Onyango sent Odhiambo the wrong side from the spot, and Patrick Opiyo added the second from close range.

Champions Kabonyo-Kanyagwal got Sh300,000 from sponsors Kenya Breweries Limited, while Kolwa Central received Sh200,000 for finishing second.

Kajulu beat Railways 2-0 in the third place play-off to take home Sh100,000. Collins Amuok of Railways FC was named the Most Valuable Player and Richard Bebeto of Migosi FC won Golden Boots award, having scored eight goals.

KBL’s Commercial Manager for Kisumu Thomsa Okoth said: “It has been three weeks of active football and I’m we have had a successful tournament. We hope the tournament will be bigger next year.