Vehicles, glory and dreams as Abbas Khalif Super Cup ends in style

South C Rangers receive their award after winning the Abbas Super Cup trophy/ HANDOUT 

When the final whistle sounded at the inaugural Abbas Khalif Super Cup, it did more than crown champions.

It sparked celebrations, stirred fresh ambitions—and introduced an unusual dilemma rarely associated with local football tournaments: what to do with the vehicles that came with victory.

For three of the standout teams at the 2025 edition, success arrived with keys in hand. As medals were packed away and trophies lifted, debates quickly emerged within camps.

Should the vehicles be retained to ease team logistics and transport players to league fixtures, or should they be sold and the proceeds shared among squad members as a more immediate reward?

The discussion has added a curious postscript to a tournament already rich in drama. At the heart of the story were South C Rangers, who wrote themselves into the competition’s history books by claiming the top prize—a 33-seater bus—after edging State City 1–0 in a tense final.

The defining moment came in the 58th minute when slight-built forward Ali Maleche exploited a rare defensive lapse, chesting down a cross before firing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

State City pushed hard in response, creating a flurry of chances as they hunted for an equaliser, but poor finishing undermined their efforts. Rangers, meanwhile, could have made the outcome more comfortable, missing two clear opportunities that would have put the contest beyond doubt.

Though beaten, State City were not left empty-handed. They drove away with a 14-seater vehicle, matching the reward earned by Kuwinda, who delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over Akiba in the third-place playoff.

Beyond the prizes, the tournament served as a platform for individual excellence. Kevin Masongo of South C Rangers emerged as Goalkeeper of the Tournament, keeping five clean sheets to anchor his side’s title charge.

Match-winner Ali Maleche was deservedly named Most Valuable Player, while John Wambua of Kuwinda finished as Golden Boot winner after scoring seven goals.

For Maleche, the recognition carries deeper meaning than silverware or accolades. The Division Two forward sees the tournament as a gateway to bigger opportunities.

“This tournament has been very competitive, and hopefully the many coaches from top clubs have seen what we have done as a team and what I can do as a player,” Maleche said. “I want to keep improving, get a bigger platform and, one day, play and score for the national team.”

Wambua shares similar aspirations, viewing his goal-scoring exploits as a chance to step onto a larger stage. “Scoring is what I enjoy doing,” he said.

“If bigger clubs come for my services, I will gladly take that chance. The defenders here were tough, but I still managed to find ways past them.”

As the dust settles on a compelling first edition, the Abbas Khalif Super Cup has ticked many boxes—competitive matches, emerging talent and tangible rewards that go beyond medals.

Whether the winning vehicles remain long-term team assets or are converted into shared spoils, the tournament has already made a statement. In its debut year, it has not only crowned champions but also firmly established itself in the local football calendar—leaving behind stories that extend well beyond the pitch.