1st Malindi International Beach Soccer Tourney:
- Third Place: Uganda 8-4 Kilifi Select
- Finals: Kenya 10-9 Zanzibar
- MVP & Top Scorer: Mohammed Said (Kenya)
Uganda Sand Cranes defeated Kilifi County select team 8-4 to finish third at the first edition of the Malindi International Bbeach Soccer tournament.
The three day tournament was played at the Buntwani Beach off the famous Indian Ocean in Kenya.
Sand Cranes skipper John Revita, Herbert Lubolyera and Roch Somoka each scored a brace in the third place playoff match.
Jojo Mutebi and Hamis Kafeero had the other goals on the day in a match officiated by FIFA referees from Uganda.
Kenya, inspired by sharp striker, Mohammed Said won the inaugural edition after a nail biting finale, where they pipped Zanzibar 10-9.
Said finished the tournament top scorer and was voted the most valuable player after his stunning displays over the three days. He won a shopping voucher worth K.Shs 5000.
The finals were graced by the Governor of Kilifi County.
This was the first time that the tournament was being held on the East African land and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctioned the event.
The Ugandan team embarks on the over 1000km return journey back home by road on Monday and are expected in Kampala by Tuesday morning.
Group Stage Matches:
Match Day one:
- Kenya 5-4 Uganda
- Zanzibar 8-2 Kilifi Select
Match Day Two:
- Uganda Sand Cranes 10-7 Zanzibar Sand Heroes
- Kenya Harambee Sand Stars 14-2 Kilifi Select
Uganda Sand Cranes Players:
Simon Kansiime (St Lawrence), Muzafaru Tamale (Real Galacticals), Abdul Karim Kibalama (Real Galacticals), Jojo Mutebi (Buwanika Bulls), Rica Byaruhanga (Buwanika Bulls), John Revita –Captain (Real Glacticals), Dennis Serukwaya (Real Galacticals), Hamis Kafeero (Real Glacticals), Roch Somoka (Nkumba Select) and Herbert Luboyera (Mutesa I Royal University)
