Bloggers, Baby Mamas Shine At Showmax Premier League Football Showdown In Kitengela
Clinical Sebastian Owiye of Bloggers (in green bib) cruise past an opponent during the Showmax Premier League 5×5 football battle held in Kitengela on Saturday. PHOTO SHOWMAX/ SAFARICOM
NAIROBI, Kenya- Team Bloggers ‘A’ and Baby Mamas FC proved invincible in the second Showmax Premier League ‘It’s Your Stadium On The Move’ 5X5 Football Tournament staged by Safaricom and Multichoice at the Kitengela Goal Hub on Saturday.
In-form Baby Mamas sliced Pro Active Legends (PAL) FC1-0 to lift the hotly contested women’s title.
Due to circumstances beyond control, on fire Bloggers split the Sh50,000 purse money with fellow finalists, Bard City FC. Clinical Sebastian Owiye of Bloggers also emerged tournament top scorer with nine goals.
Baby Mamas make cool moves after lifting the women’s trophy during the Showmax Premier League 5×5 football battle held in Kitengela on Saturday. PHOTO SHOWMAX/ SAFARICOM
On their way to the finals, Bloggers edged Capital FM 1-0 in the semis as Bard City won with a similar margin against Wagners FC.
“We are happy to be gracing this prestigious tournament that is not only showcasing and nurturing local talents, but uniting passionate players through the exciting and thrilling five-a-side battle that captures the spirit of the Premier League,” Bloggers FC captain Erick Ochieng underlined.
“Last month, we exited the tournament in the group stage. This prompted us to go back to the drawing board to train hard and rectify our mistakes. We are glad that the hard work finally paid off today as we made it to the finals.
Shiku Shikaya (right) of Baby Mamas FC awarded the gong after they lifted the women’s contest during the Showmax Premier League 5×5 football battle held in Kitengela on Saturday. PHOTO SHOWMAX/ SAFARICOM
“We look forward to more and more of these tournaments which we believe will help us to sharpen our claws in the energy sapping 5X5 tournament battle,” the spordesk.co.ke editor added.
While basking in glory, Baby Mamas captain Terry Ouko hailed the competition saying that her team is also using the tournament to give women players a voice, especially on issues to do with reproductive health.
“Women’s team that were here today are not composed of active players, but players who have left active football due to one reason or the other, more so on pregnancies which is forcing them to leave the beautiful game and start fending for their children when they give birth.” Ouko said.
Erick Ochieng of Team Bloggers (Right) in action during the Showmax Premier League 5×5 football battle held in Kitengela on Saturday. PHOTO SHOWMAX/ SAFARICOM
“So, we are using this tournament as an advocate platform to sensitize the women that it is still possible to give birth and return to play the game.
“We want women players to know that world football governing bodies Fifpro and Fifa have provisions for maternity ranging between 8-16 weeks depending on the pregnancy, so that they can comfortably go for maternity leave without them being removed from their clubs. We want them to know that there are regulations and provisions that safeguard their sexual and reproductive health,” Ouko added.
