Homabay Combined crowned Owalo Super Cup champions

By Peter Ochieng

Homabay Combined are the champions of the inaugural edition of ICT and digital economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo Super Cup.

Homabay beat Kisumu Combined 4-2 via post match penalties, after the final match ended 0-0 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, in Mamboleo, Kisumu on Thursday.

The match was a replica of the final of the Talanta Hela tournament, when Homabay beat Kisumu 4-2 in mid December, in Nairobi. Homabay won in normal time during the Talanta Hela final.

Earlier, Siaya Combined came from behind to beat Migori 2-1 to finish third at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium.

As Champions of the Eliud Owalo Super Cup tourney, Homabay walked away with a trophy and Sh400,000 in prize money.

Runners-up Kisumu recieved Sh300,000, Siaya Sh200,000 and Migori Sh100, 000.

Homabay's Joseph Akwenda was voted best player, while Kisumu's Felix Ochieng got the best goalkeeper gong.

The tournament which brought together the four Nyanza counties started on Tuesday, when Homabay beat Migori 2-1 at the Raila Odinga stadium in Homabay, to book a final slot.

On Wednesday, a Kisumu Combined side comprising largely of players from Kisumu All Stars and Muhoroni Youth beat Siaya 3-0 in Kisumu, to set up a mouthwatering final clash against Homabay.

CS Owalo said the tournament will be held yearly to discover and grow soccer talents in the region.

"This tournament is poised to provide a vital avenue for youth engagement, character building, income generation, and the creation of new opportunities," he said on Wednesday.

The tournament objectives include provide a monetising platform for young, talented footballers from the region to showcase and earn an income from their skills, provide recruitment opportunities and foster character development.

22 best players from the tourney will form a Nyanza select team to face Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League giants Gor Mahia in a friendly match at the Nyilima grounds in Rarieda, Siaya County.

The Nyanza Combined side will be coached by Charles Odero.