Eldoret Sports Development Centre (ESPODEC) Academy U15 girls team are the champions of this year’s East Africa Chipkizi Cup.
The team beat New Vision 6-0 in a one-sided final played in Arusha, Tanzania.
Coached by Maurice Kamau, the ESPODEC team had an impressive run in the tournament, which brought together teams from 54 academies in Tanzania, 53 from Kenya, and teams from Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
East Africa Chipkizi: ESPODEC results at the tournament
In the semi-finals, the Eldoret-based team walloped Mwanza Academy 9-0. They also scored 10-0 against Express, 6-0 in the clash with Kick it and silenced Zanzibar 3-0 to secure a place in the semifinals.
The team’s captain, Peace Jemutai, was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
It is ESPODEC Academy’s second time participating in the East Africa Chipkizi Cup.
Last year, the team only travelled with 9 players, two scouted.
“This year, we travelled with 53 players in 4 categories of U7 boys, U9 boys, U13 boys and the girls. It was a progress on our side and we’re happy,” coach Kamau told Uasin Gishu News.
The U7 boys team was eliminated from the tournament at the semifinals, after narrowly losing 2-1 to Nakuru Bucks.
The U13 boys team crashed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals. They lost 2-1 to Dulla, a team that was later disqualified for fielding an over-age player and indiscipline.
Following the performance, ESPODEC Academy tactician also expressed optimism that more success will be registered in the next edition of the East Africa Chipkizi Cup.
“Winning an East Africa title is a dream achievement for us. We’ve cemented the name Espodec Academy on the East African map now and we hope to continue doing so in coming years,” he added.
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