Dreams Soccer Academy’s Nathaniel Ochieng (centre) fighting for the ball. PHOTO/UGC.
By PATRICK AMIMO
Arusha, Tanzania
Kenya’s Dreams Soccer Academy under-13 team emerged as the champions of the East Africa Chipukizi Cup on Sunday, defeating compatriots AGOAL 5–4 in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw in the final at the TGT Grounds in Arusha.
The shootout victory capped off an impressive tournament run by Dreams, who had previously triumphed over Tanzania’s Fountain Gate with a 2–0 win in the quarter-finals.
They then overcame New Generations, also from Tanzania, in a penalty shootout following a goalless semi-final.
Dreams Soccer Academy’s Mandela Amimo tackles an opponent. PHOTO/UGC.
Emmanuel Ashioya was the scorer of Dreams’ goal in the final and later successfully converted his penalty in the shootout. He was joined in scoring by Brian Muo, Emmanuel Vieri, Frank Williams, and Gordon Wambua, all of whom kept their composure under pressure.
In addition to their triumph at Under-13 level, Dreams Soccer Academy also posted strong results in other age categories during the multi-nation tournament. The Under-7 team finished as runners-up, although their final against Uganda’s KEFA Academy was abandoned in the first half with KEFA leading 3–0.
This decision came after Dreams chose to withdraw due to concerns regarding player eligibility. Prior to this, the Under-7s had secured a dramatic penalty shootout win over Tanzania’s Highridge in the semi-finals.
A Dreams Soccer Academy player tussle for the ball during one of the games: PHOTO/UGC.
The Under-9 team reached the semi-finals, having eliminated Uganda’s Teletubbies in the quarter-finals through penalties before losing to Kenya’s Ali Abondo in another shootout. Meanwhile, the Under-11 team bowed out at the quarter-final stage after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Uganda’s Teletubbies at the Future Stars Arena.
Individual accolades from the tournament went to Dreams’ Nathaniel Ochieng, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while Frank Williams was awarded the Best Goalkeeper prize.
The Arusha tournament, which attracted 135 youth teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, has become a crucial development platform for emerging football talent across the region.
Dreams Soccer Academy’s victory in the Under-13 category highlights the academy’s growing reputation and the talent it continues to nurture.
