Kenya’s Hippos Fc Win Inaugural Tsingtao Kefofa Football Tournament
Kenya’s Hippos FC have been crown champions of the first edition of inaugural Tsingtao Kefofa Cup football tournament held at the Ngong Race Course in Nairobi county on Saturday 11th February 2023.
Hippos, edged out Kaloleni based A 1000 Sportif FC 3-2 on post-match penalties to lift the trophy.
The main aim of the tournament was to celebrate and strengthen the already existing 60 year old ties between China and Kenya.
The two sides had battled to a barren draw in regulation time , before they proceeded for the shoot out
Kevin Odingo netted the decisive penalty after Hippos goalkeeper Ezekiel Kombo saved A 1000 Sportif’s spot kick.
During the one-day football tournament, Bramwel Karamoja of Hippo FC emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament while Goalkeeper Sichen Li was feted as the best Chinese player in the tournament.
Hippo’s custodian Kombo won the Golden Gloves award after he emerged the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
In the beer drinking contest category , Paul ”Polosa” Ojenge of the Kenya Sports Journalist FC emerged the winner.
Sammy Zhan, The Tsingtao Beer Marketing Manager, said the tourney was successful and it managed to bring young Chinese and Kenyans together to network and create long lasting friendships.
“The tournament run smoothly, we hope to expand it to a bigger and better version in the coming editions,” Zhan said.
His sentiments were echoed by Chinese Embassy Counselor Zhang Yijun who reiterated that both countries are out to work for the benefit of the Kenyan people.
“This tournament cemented our long lasting friendship, we will continue to engage together to take Kenya to greater heights,” Yijun stated.
Kenya Football Fans Federation President Francis Liboyi hinted out that China and Kenya will soon have a high profile fellowship where Kenya and China players will visit both countries for sports and business exchange programs.
“This tournament was successful, plans are underway for the second edition where we thinking of incorporating other disciplines like basketball, netball, athletics and many other sports categories,” Liboyi underscored.
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