Buses, brilliance and big dreams mark Abbas Khalif Super Cup finale

The inaugural Abbas Khalif Super Cup came to a rousing close with trophies lifted, dreams ignited, and an unusual post-tournament dilemma rolling into focus: what to do with the vehicles won as prizes.

For three of the top teams at the 2025 edition, victory has come with four wheels attached. While some players and officials are keen to retain the vehicles for team logistics—especially for local league matches—others are pushing for a more immediate reward, suggesting the cars be sold and the proceeds shared among team members.

The debate has added an unexpected twist to what was already a memorable tournament.

At the center of it all were South C Rangers, who etched their name into history by winning the ultimate prize—a 33-seater bus—after edging State City 1–0 in a tightly contested final. The decisive moment came in the 58th minute when diminutive forward Ali Maleche punished a lapse in State City’s defense, calmly chesting down a cross before rifling a superb finish into the far corner.

State City responded with urgency, creating several chances in search of an equalizer, but profligacy in front of goal proved costly. South C Rangers, too, had opportunities to seal the match earlier, squandering two clear chances that would have put the contest beyond doubt.

Despite the narrow defeat, State City did not leave empty-handed, driving away with a 14-seater vehicle—the same reward earned by Kuwinda, who thrashed Akiba 3–0 in the third-place playoff.

Individual brilliance shone throughout the competition. South C Rangers’ safe hands Kevin Masongo was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament after registering an impressive five clean sheets. Final match hero Ali Maleche capped his standout performances by being crowned Most Valuable Player, while John Wambua of Kuwinda 1 walked away with the Golden Boot after netting seven goals.

For Maleche, the accolade is more than just a personal milestone—it is a stepping stone toward a bigger dream.

“This tournament has been very competitive and hopefully the many coaches from top clubs have seen what we have done as a team and individually as a player,” said the Division Two forward. “I hope I can continue playing well for my team and even land a bigger club with a bigger platform. Some day I want to play and score for the national team.”

Top scorer John Wambua echoed similar ambitions, expressing excitement at the exposure the tournament has provided.

“Scoring is what I enjoy doing, and if bigger clubs come for my services then I will gladly oblige and show my skills to a bigger audience,” he said. “This tournament exposed me to some mean defenders, but I still managed to outwit most of them.”

As the dust settles on a thrilling first edition, the Abbas Khalif Super Cup has already delivered on its promise—competitive football, emerging talent, and tangible rewards. Whether the winning vehicles remain team assets or are converted into shared spoils, one thing is certain: the tournament has driven itself firmly into the local football calendar.