The annual Ligi Ndogo East Africa Cup will has made its return this weekend following a delay that was occasioned by the general elections that were held in August which are the tournament’s regular dates.
This year’s edition was played at Lenana School following last year’s showpiece that was held in Kajiado county due to challenges arising from traffic and accommodation.
Chief Organizer Chris Amimo noted that this is an opportunity for young talent to showcase their talent and to further nurture the football potential in Kenya.
“Ligi Ndogo organises trips to participate in countrywide tournaments as well as international cups and tours. Ligi Ndogo is opening up an early opportunity for you to be part of these exciting tours and tournaments that could open up doors for your football career,” Amimo said.
Over the years the tournament has been a great attraction for teams from Tanzania and Uganda as well as a long list of Kenyan academies.
Every year, the ligi ndogo Ngong’ Road grounds is a beehive of activities as it hosts the annual Ligi Ndogo East africa tournament.
Initiated in 2005, the East African tournament is quickly emerging as the premier boys’ and girls’ competition in East Africa.
It has attracted teams, schools and academies from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and now Somali and South Sudan.
The tournament’s defending champions are Ligi Ndogo (U7), Ligi Ndogo Galaxy (u9), Ufa Simba (U11), Ufa Simba (U13), Ligi Ndogo Planets (U15), Berlin FC (U17), Berlin FC (U19).
100 games kicked off the group stages of the tourney, played in 11 pitches, after which, the winning teams will advance to the knockout stages that will be held tomorrow, Sunday, September 17, 2022.Kings football Academy beat Ligi Ndogo 1-0 in the U15 group stage, with the winning goal bagged by their team captain Joseph Onyango Oundo.
In the U11 and U9 group stage, a barren draw occurred in the game pitting Legacy Academy against UFA Simba and the Legacy Academy against Black Panther.
However, in the U13 group stage Legacy Academy triumphed over Juventus Academy with a 4-0 win.
Soka Talent Academy bagged a 1-0 win against Cheza Sports through Kevin Kimanzi’s penalty in their U13 group stage match. Shadrack Otieno’s hat-trick enabled Soka Talent’s U15 team to shine past Makini School.
RO Academy achieved both a win and a loss in their U11 group stage matches, they beat AR FC Academy 4-1 and lost to Black Panther Academy 2-0. Express Academy Under 11 team managed a barren draw against Juventus Academy and lost to Soka Talent 1-0.
The Ligi Ndogo East Africa cup tournament has exposed Kenyan players to stars. Some of them include Kenya’s national team Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe, who is currently playing for Thai top league side, Buriram United and formerly played for former English Premier League (EPL) side Reading and also national under 23 midfielders, Yidah Sven, currently playing for South Africa top flight league side team Marumo Gallants FC.
The tournament features age groups 8 to 17. Any young player between the ages of 9 and 18 is eligible to participate.
Girls participate in the U16 category. The first two days feature a preliminary round. The third day features teams that made it to the knockout round.
As is traditional, the class A games (U9) are played on the final day.
Berlin AFC won the 2021 edition of the tournament where 46 teams took part in Kajiado.
