Saints F.C. Shine in Mombasa Tournament

Saints F.C. Shine in Mombasa Tournament.

On the morning of 5th December, Saints F.C. set off for an exciting journey to Mombasa via the SGR. By 2:00 pm, we safely arrived at the Mombasa terminus, where we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch. Later, we booked accommodation at Changamwe, Migadini, our home for the tournament period. Excitement filled the air as our players looked forward to competing in the Mombasa Youth Tournament.

Our first match saw Saints F.C. vs Chayo United (Under 11), ending in a 0–0 draw. It was an entertaining and competitive encounter, with both teams displaying great skill and discipline. Despite several chances, neither side could find the breakthrough, and the game ended in a fair tie.

In the Under 13 category, Saints F.C. faced Soweto in a thrilling match that ended 1–1. Kevo scored a beautiful goal for Saints, showing great composure and finishing. However, the goal was only enough to secure a draw in a tightly contested game.

The Under 9 team had a tough outing against Taita Juniors, losing 0–3. It was a difficult and very hot afternoon, and our young boys faced a strong and well-organized opponent. Though the result was not favorable, the match served as an important learning experience, and we live to fight another day.

Our boys bounced back strongly in the next Under 9 match against Golden Stars, winning 3–0. A brace from Dan and two goals from Jose sealed a well-deserved victory. The team showed character, teamwork, and determination, making this a proud moment for Saints F.C.

Saints F.C. then faced Destiny F.C. in the Under 9 category, recording an impressive 5–2 victory. Dan was on fire, terrorizing the opponents with an outstanding performance and scoring all five goals. This emphatic win secured our qualification to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Saints F.C. played Migadini (Under 9) and emerged victorious with a 1–0 win. Jose scored the only goal of the match, showing calmness under pressure. That crucial goal sent us through to the semifinals.

The semifinal against Magic 90 (Under 9) was a tense and physically demanding encounter that ended 0–0 in regular time. Our boys gave their all, but the match was decided on penalties. Unfortunately, we lost 0–3 on penalties, with all our shots going off target. Though painful, it was a valuable lesson that will make us stronger.

In the third-place playoff, Saints F.C. faced Bangla United (Under 9) and won 1–0. Jose once again stepped up to score the winning goal. This victory earned us the second runners-up position, a commendable achievement and a lovely performance by our Under 9 team.

Our Under 11 and Under 13 teams also reached the quarterfinals, showing great effort and progress. The Under 11 team narrowly lost 0–1 to Magic 90, while the Under 13 team fell 1–2 to Wayani F.C. These defeats were heartbreaking, but the lessons learned will help us improve in future competitions.

Beyond football, the trip was filled with fun and adventure. The team enjoyed a ferry ride, visited Mama Ngina Park, explored Fort Jesus to witness Kenya’s rich history, and later headed to Pirates Beach for an exciting swimming session. It was a memorable experience for everyone.

In summary, Mombasa was truly an unforgettable experience. We played, we won, we lost at times, but most importantly, we learned and enjoyed ourselves. The tournament provided valuable exposure and growth for our players. Saints F.C. will surely come back stronger, better, and more determined in the future.