By Patrick Amimo in Arusha
Kenya’s Dreams Soccer Academy Under-13 team was crowned champions of the 16th East Africa Chipukizi Cup on Sunday after edging compatriots AGOAL 5–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw in the final at the TGT Grounds in Arusha.
The victory capped an impressive run by Dreams, who beat Tanzania’s Fountain Gate 2–0 in the quarter-finals before eliminating New Generations, also of Tanzania, on penalties after a goalless semi-final.
Emmanuel Ashioya scored Dreams’ goal in the final and later converted in the shootout alongside Brian Muo, Emmanuel Vieri, Frank Williams and Gordon Wambua.
Dreams also recorded strong performances across other age categories at the multi-nation tournament.
Their Under-7 side finished runners-up after the final against Uganda’s KEFA Academy was abandoned in the first half with KEFA leading 3–0. Dreams withdrew from the match over concerns about player eligibility. Earlier, the Under-7s had beaten Tanzania’s Highridge on penalties in the semi-finals.
The Under-9 team reached the semi-finals after knocking out Uganda’s Teletubbies on penalties in the quarter-finals before losing to Kenya’s Ali Abondo, also on spot-kicks.
Dreams’ Under-11 side exited at the quarter-final stage after a narrow 1–0 loss to Uganda’s Teletubbies at the Future Stars Arena.
Individually, Dreams’ Nathaniel Ochieng was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Frank Williams took the Best Goalkeeper award.
The Arusha tournament, held from December 15 to 21, featured 135 youth teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, serving as a key platform for youth football development across the region.