Kenyan football powerhouse Gor Mahia is gearing up for a friendly match against a select team, Nyanza Combined, composed of top talents from the larger Nyanza region.
The Nyanza Combined team was chosen from the recently concluded Eliud Owalo Super Cup tournament, where Homa Bay emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Kisumu after a goalless draw.
The friendly match is scheduled to take place at Nyilima Sports Ground in Asembo, Siaya County, kicking off at 3:00 pm. Gor Mahia sees this match as a warm-up ahead of their Kenyan Premier League encounter against Posta Rangers on January 6, 2024.
Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, the tournament’s sponsor, expressed excitement about the upcoming clash, emphasizing that the primary goal of the competition was to unveil hidden talents in the region. The Nyanza Combined team, carefully selected by a dedicated committee, will face the formidable Gor Mahia in a test that could open doors for many aspiring players.
Owalo revealed, “We finally have a combined team to face Gor. The main aim of this tournament was to expose the hidden talent in the regions. We were so impressed with the undiscovered talents displayed, and we are hopeful most of the boys will get a chance to join bigger teams locally and perhaps abroad.”
Considering the tournament’s success, Owalo hinted at the possibility of making it an annual event, ensuring continuous exposure for talented youth to local and international football scouts.
In the Eliud Owalo Super Cup final, Homa Bay secured victory, earning a prize of Sh. 400,000, while Kisumu, the runners-up, received Sh. 300,000. Siaya, finishing third, walked away with Sh. 200,000, and Migori was awarded Sh. 100,000.
The select technical committee overseeing the tournament included former Gor Mahia players Tobias ‘Jua Kali’ Ochola, James Goro Oronge, Gerald Omolo ‘Chonjo,’ and Peter Dawo.
