KISUMU, Kenya – In a captivating final of the East Africa Legislators’ Sports Council Associations (EALASCA) men’s football, the County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) of Kenya emerged victorious over the Kampala County Council Authority (KCCA) with a 2-0 win. The match, held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu, saw the defending champions KCCA face off against a determined CASA team in a contest that was initially evenly matched.
According to Kenya News Agency, the first half of the game concluded without any goals, despite aggressive attempts by both teams to break the deadlock. The match’s dynamic shifted dramatically in the second half, which was delayed by a heavy downpour, marking a turning point for CASA. Isaac Nyakoya, CASA’s reliable player, broke the tie in the 53rd minute with a remarkable goal, setting the pace for his team’s subsequent performance.
Nyakoya’s goal was complemented by Adhalla Mdeka’s striking performance in the 65th minute, who skilfully navigated past two defenders and the goalkeeper to secure a second goal for CASA. This move not only demonstrated Mdeka’s prowess but also significantly bolstered CASA’s position in the match, eliciting enthusiastic support from the fans.
Despite a third goal being disallowed for offside, CASA’s victory was attributed to thorough preparation and strategic guidance from their coach, Sunguti, as noted by goal scorer Isaac Nyakoya. On the other hand, KCCA’s captain, Mark Nsobya, highlighted the match’s role in fostering social cohesion and neighborliness, a sentiment echoed by Kampala’s Lord Mayor Salongo Erias Lukwago. Lukwago, represented by Hon. Paul Mugembe, praised EALASCA for strengthening East African community bonds and thanked the Kisumu county government and organizers for their roles in the successful tournament.
The overall winner of the EALASCA games was KICOSCA, with CASA and KCCA taking the runner-up and third place positions, respectively. This year’s tournament not only showcased regional football talent but also served as a platform for promoting unity and sportsmanship among East African legislative bodies.