- Sakaja Super Cup kicks off with defending champions Githurai All Stars facing Dandora Youth FC
- Governor Sakaja’s initiative aims to foster grassroots football across Nairobi county
- The tournament, running until December, promises a bigger, better competition, with outstanding players having a chance to join higher league clubs.
All eyes are on defending champions Githurai All Stars, who claimed victory in the tournament’s first edition in 2023 when they claimed a thrilling 6-5 win against Kawasaki FC of Landi Mawe Starehe Sub-County.
The burning question on everyone’s mind: Can they replicate last year’s success and secure the grand prize of KSh 3 million?
The stakes are high, as Governor Sakaja Johnson’s initiative, aimed at nurturing local talent and promoting positive engagement among the youth, takes centre stage once again. This year, the tournament is bigger than ever, featuring a total of 780 teams across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties. Among these teams, Githurai All Stars are the team to beat, and they’ll face fierce competition from Dandora Youths in their opening match.
Githurai’s triumph last year was no easy feat, and as they return to the field, they carry not only the weight of their title but the hopes of their loyal fans. They’ll need to fend off an array of determined challengers, each eager to make their mark in the tournament and walk away with the coveted prize money. But beyond the cash, there is more at stake for these young players. Governor Sakaja has announced that top players will be selected to join Nairobi United, a promising new team under the Sakaja Foundation.
“We’re not just looking for winners; we’re looking for future stars,” Sakaja said, underscoring the broader mission of the tournament. “This is about giving young people a chance to go further, to dream bigger, and to change their lives.”
The governor’s vision for the tournament extends beyond the pitch. By offering alternatives to crime and drug abuse, the Sakaja Cup, sponsored by Sakaja Foundation, aims to transform the lives of Nairobi’s youth, steering them towards productive, fulfilling futures. In line with this, the tournament continues to champion gender equality, with women’s teams playing a prominent role.
As Githurai All Stars prepare to defend their title, fans and players alike are filled with anticipation. Will they rise to the challenge and make history once again, or will a new champion emerge?
The answer will begin to unfold this Saturday at noon, as Nairobi’s finest football talent takes the stage in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
