Lisbase clinches Benja Cup in nail-biting penalty shootout
By Philip.Yegon, September 5, 2023
Lisbase beat Kapsoit Elites 4-3 to lift the Benja Cup during the finals stage at Kipchimchim in Kericho County. It was not a walk in the park for the victors as they struggled hard to edge out stubborn Kapsoit in the finals of the Benja Football tournament as both teams settled for a barren draw during the standard time.
Post-match penalties were used therefore to determine the winner where Lisbase won 4-3 to emerge the tourney overall winners.
The champions took home the top prize of Sh200,000 while the second-placed Kapsoit pocketed Sh150,000. T
he third-placed Itobei smiled all the way to the bank after being awarded Sh100,000. Several other teams who topped at the ward level walked away with a cash prize of Sh30,000, the second-placed scooped Sh15,000 whereas the third-placed got a consolation prize of Sh5,000.
All the 126 participating teams in the one-month-long tournament that was sponsored by Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat got playing uniforms while teams that were eliminated at the ward level each got a new ball.
The tournament was graced by Kericho Senator Aron Cheruiyot, Kericho governor Erick Mutai, Women Rep Beatrice Kemei, Kipkelion West MP Hilary Kosgei, his Kipkelion East counterpart Joseph Cherorot, Emurrua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno and Bureti MP Kibet Komingoi.