Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK FC) thrashed Ex-Harambee Stars 4-2 to lift the Legends Football Tournament trophy at the Dandora Stadium on Tuesday in Nairobi.
Noah Abich opened the score sheet for the Ex-Internationals with a screamer in the 14th second.
Erick ‘Opong’ Ochieng responded back in the ninth minute to level the score to 1-1 for the scribes.
Even before the dust had settled, Alfred Chege drilled in another thunderbolt from the right flank to give the Ex-Internationals a 2-1 lead in the 15th.
But the lead was cancelled three minutes later by Junior Nyawir who made a thrilling solo run right from the midfield, beating Ex-International custodian Omar Shaban to level 2-2 for the scribes before the breather.
On resumption, Sam Ayoo put SJAK ahead in the 60th minute, after making a wonderful solo run right from the right flank, before drilling in a salvo at the furthest end of the post that left Shaban clutching into thin air as he gave the pressmen a 3-2 lead.
Super substitute Kevin Oraro, who replaced Ochieng only took ten minutes to find the back of the net for SJAK in the 72nd minute to seal the 4-2 victory.
On their way to the finals, SJAK had trounced Dandora Legends 3-1 while Ex-Internationals whitewashed Obama Legends 5-2.
The Legends Football Tournament victory was sweet revenge for SJAK who painfully lost 2-1 to the Ex-Internationals in May, during the Europe Day Kenya Football Challenge curtain raiser at Ulinzi Sports Complex where the latter were steered to glory by former Auxere striker Denis ‘The Menace’ Oliech.
While savouring their Legends Football Tournament feat, SJAK coach Gregory Mulemi stated: ” It was a nice outing for us, interacting close and candid with the legends gave the journalists motivation. We had a great day celebrating the Older Persons Day which was the objective of the competition.”
Ex-International Ezekiel Akwana hailed the contest saying it had a great impact on them as it availed a platform to bring old players together.
“It promoted mental health.It lifted our spirits as legends of the game,” Akwana underlined.
Akwana’s team mate Nicholas Muyoti hailed the tournament saying, “It was great to get this rare opportunity to unite, we came together, we talked, we networked. The old players were able to loosen up. This kind of get together should be on a monthly basis to give each other moral support.”
The Legends Football Tournament was supported by Age Watch Africa who are strong advocates of graceful aging.
The theme of the competition was “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”
This coming Saturday, 3rd October, Sjak FC will be facing Kickoff FC at Camp Toyoyo.
