Soccer Academy defeated Express 3-1 to cruise into the last 32 in the Under 11 category of the annual Rausha Kipaji football bonanza at Nakuru Boys High School on Saturday.
Eugene Makori scored a double for the winners with assists from Silvester Mandela in the first half.
Mandela also contributed to the last goal scored by Valdross Osore in the second half to ensure his team cruised into the knockout stages.
Express' consolation was an own goal by goalkeeper Dan Odhiambo whose miscalculation saw him score into his own net.
Earlier, Dreams Academy had hammered Chances Academy 14-1 in the last group match, having earlier beaten Legacy by a solitary goal and then beat Ambassador 2-0.
A total of 165 football academies are in Nakuru City, competing for different awards in Under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 at the same venue (Nakuru Boys School).
The five-day football bonanza, one of the country's fastest-rising grassroots tournaments, aims to tap Kenya's potential future football stars.
“This is more than just football and is a platform to nurture potential talents and transform them into lives,” said Dreams Soccer Academy head coach Melkzadeck Alukwe.
He said their focus is not just on winning but also instill discipline, teamwork and belief in the young players at their academy. This is a development that was equally observed by a number of coaches taking part in this tournament.
The Under 11 category alone has attracted a record number of 48 teams, grouped into 12 pools — a testament to the surging interest and investment in youth football across Kenya.
The event has, for the last six years, been synonymous with grassroots football excellence, offering scouts, coaches, and fans a glimpse into the future of the sport.
