The Harambe stars of Kenya, emerged winners of the Four Nations Senior Tournament after registering two wins from two games they played in the competition.
The Four Nations Tournament was hosted by Malawi at Bingu Nations Stadium in Lilongwe, and four footballing African nations battle out to clinch the championship and also to move up on the FIFA ranking as the competition was hosted during a FIFA International break.
Apart from, moving up on the FIFA ranking; the tournament gave a real test to the participating teams to prepare for next Competitions like FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFCON Qualifiers just to mention a few.
The host Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya met at Malawi’s capital Lilongwe from 23rd March to 26 March this year.
The Harambe stars of Kenya thrashed the host nation-Malawi with 4 goals to nil in their first match, as Zimbabwe after saving a 18 months FIFA ban, defeated Zambia in a post-match penalty by 6-5, after playing a 2- all draw in 90 minutes.
As the competition was using the Cup Format Malawi faced their fellow first game losers Zambia fighting for the third place, meanwhile Zimbabwe faced Kenya in the final match.
Kenya emerged winners in the final match after beating Zimbabwe by 3 goals to 1 in the final, while Zambia finished third after beating their neighbors by 2 goals to 1.
Speaking after clinching the championship, Engin Firat Kenya national team mentor said the tournament gave a real test for the Harambe stars as they are preparing for World Cup Qualifiers.
Taking his turn, Norman Mapeza coach for Zimbabwe National team described the whole tournament as a success as both teams displayed entertaining football.
‘Although my boys failed to win the first match against Zimbabwe, but in the next game against Malawi, the boys give up their best to beat Malawi by 2 goals to 1’ said Avram Grant coach for Zambia,
And for Malawi National Football coach Patrick Mabedi, the hailed the four football FA’s for settling for the tournament that will help the teams to prepare for different competitions.
‘Although we finished on a fourth position, there are many positives we have drawn from the tournament’ said Mabedi.
In the overall competition; Kenya won the tournament after being the high scoring team at the tournament, meanwhile Malawi finished fourth being a high conceding team.
Michael Olunga clinched the golden boot of the senior tournament after scoring 5 goals from the two matches.
