Githurai All Stars (GAS) kicked off their title defense in style, securing a 1-0 victory against hosts Dandora Youth FC in the launch match of the 2024 Sakaja Super Cup at the newly renovated Dandora Stadium. GAS was rewarded with a Ksh.100,000 token for the win, while Dandora Youth received Ksh.50,000.
Prior to the main event, coordinators from the Nairobi East and Nairobi West Football Kenya Federation branches played a curtain-raiser match, with Nairobi East emerging victorious. They also received Ksh.100,000, while Nairobi West took home Ksh.50,000.
In the launch match, Dandora Youth managed to hold the defending champions to a goalless first half, with several goal-scoring opportunities denied by GAS goalkeeper Gregory Kenan. Githurai’s captain, Kelvin Njuguna, played a pivotal role in midfield as they sought to break down Dandora Youth’s defense, marshaled by captain Emmanuel Omondi, Jared Okwiri, and Romaric Arnaud.
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when striker Patrick Lugo unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which slipped through Dandora goalkeeper Felix Mutie’s hands, sealing the only goal of the match. Dandora Youth, led by winger Moses Mwangi, pressed hard for an equalizer, but GAS’s defense held firm, with Kenan denying their final efforts.
Githurai All Stars showcased their quality on the opening day, sending a clear message to other teams about their intent to retain the title in this year’s competition. The Sakaja Super Cup, driven by Governor Johnson Sakaja, continues to promote grassroots football development in Nairobi, giving young talents an excellent platform to shine.
This year’s competition will follow a knockout format, with matches starting at the sub-county level.
In the draw, which was conducted yesterday, to include all the 17 sub-counties in Nairobi, teams which have registered to play in the lower Football Kenya Federation Nairobi Branches leagues will not be required to play in the preliminary knock outs as they got byes into the next round while teams not affiliated to any FKF league will face off as they seek a few representatives from every sub county to join the registered teams in the next round of matches.
