Kenya’s Dreams Soccer Academy U13 crowned East Africa Chipukizi champions.
Kenya’s Dreams Soccer Academy Under-13 team were crowned 16th Edition East Africa Chipukizi Cup champions 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 shootout victory capped an impressive run by Dreams, who had beaten 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 posted strong results 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, following Dreams’ decision to withdraw 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, having eliminated Uganda’s Teletubbies on penalties in the quarter-finals before losing to Kenya’s Ali Abondo, also via spot-kicks.
Dreams’ Under-11 side exited at the quarter-final stage after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Uganda’s Teletubbies at the Future Stars Arena.
Individual honours went to Dreams’ Nathaniel Ochieng, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Frank Williams was voted Best Goalkeeper.
The Arusha tournament, played between 15-21 December, attracted 135 youth teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, serving as a key development platform for emerging talent across the region, with Dreams’ Under-13 triumph underlining the academy’s growing stature.
