Owalo Super Cup: Kisumu, Homabay Combined to battle for Sh400,000

By Peter Ochieng

Kisumu Combined will battle Homabay Combined on Thursday afternoon, in the final of the inaugural edition of Eliud Owalo Super Cup tournament, sponsored by Cabinet Secretary (CS) for ICT and the digital economy, under his foundation.

Kisumu Combined, comprising of players from Muhoroni Youth FC and Kisumu All Stars booked a slot in the final on Wednesday evening, after beating Siaya Combined 3-0 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, in Mamboleo, Kisumu.

Kisumu scored one goal in the first half and two others in the second on the road to the final.

On Tuesday, Homabay Combined beat Migori Combined 2-1 at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay to qualify for the final.

Migori Combined will face Siaya in the 3rd playoff match, before Kisumu and Homabay square it out in the final.

Both matches will be played at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium on Thursday, with a total of Sh1 million in prize money up for grabs.

Winners will walk home with Sh400,000, the second placed team will bag Sh300,000, third placed team Sh200,000 while the fourth best team will get Sh100,000.

Speaking after the Kisumu versus Siaya match, CS Owalo said the tournament is a response to the declining soccer standards in the region, and the growing vulnerability of young individuals to issues such as drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, and immorality.

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

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.

On Saturday, a Nyanza Combined team comprising of best players from the tourney will face Kenya Premier League leaders Gor Mahia at the Nyilima grounds, in Rarieda, Siaya County.

The tournament's regional coordinators include former Gor Mahia striker Peter Dawo.

Dawo said the tournament has proved that Nyanza region is home to soccer talents.