Kenyatta University secured victory in the first-ever Eric Marcelo Ouma Foundation (EMOF) Supa Eight Tournament after defeating hosts Strathmore University 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout on Monday evening at the Strathmore University Sports Complex.
The captivating finale delivered all the elements of a memorable showdown, with both teams generating multiple scoring chances before an enthusiastic audience. Nevertheless, neither side managed to break the deadlock during regular play, resulting in penalties determining the winner.
The turning point occurred when John Mbaraka failed to convert Strathmore University’s third penalty, paving the way for Joshua Wamanga to score the decisive spot-kick and trigger jubilant celebrations from Kenyatta University fans.
Austin Tandasi, the Kenyatta University captain who confidently scored his team’s opening penalty, described the win as a testament to their dedication and effort.
“I’m extremely thrilled. This is a significant achievement for our squad and the result of our perseverance, focus, and collaboration. I want to express gratitude to Eric Ouma for this excellent initiative. We’ve been missing such an opportunity for quite some time, and it serves as an excellent showcase for university players,” Tandasi remarked.
Head coach Kelvin Ngare commended his squad for their thorough preparation and tenacity during the entire competition.
“Our preparation for this tournament was comprehensive. We had approximately four months to ready ourselves since learning about this championship. Triumphing against formidable opponents is deeply rewarding, and I’m grateful to Eric Ouma for this generous contribution. It holds tremendous value for the athletes,” Ngare stated.
The debut tournament featured eight universities and commenced on June 30. Participants included Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, KCA University, Mount Kenya University, Kenya Methodist University, Africa International University, St. Paul’s University, and Zetech University.
Following their victory, Kenyatta University claimed KSh100,000 in prize money, while second-place Strathmore University earned KSh50,000. Mount Kenya University finished third with KSh25,000 after overcoming Kenya Methodist University 3-1 in the playoff.
The competition was conceptualized by Harambee Stars defender Eric Ouma, who established the tournament to create opportunities for developing and displaying football talent across Kenyan universities.
“We’ve experienced an exciting three-day football festival. We’ve observed impressive abilities from the group stages through to the championship match. What we’ve witnessed aligns perfectly with the tournament’s purpose, which is to provide university players with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and advance their careers,” Ouma commented.
The triumphant launch of the EMOF Supa Eight Tournament showcased the abundance of talent in university football and cemented its importance as a developmental route for ambitious players looking to further their sporting careers.