Likoni crowned South Coast Fives champions

Likoni Community beat all odds to emerge the 2024 South Coast Fives Touch Rugby Tournament winners on Sunday at the Safari Beach Hotel in Diani, Kwale County.

The South Coast team dethroned last year's winners, Nairobi's Karen Crusaders in a pulsating final, winning 2-0. 

Coming into the final as heavy underdogs, Likoni Community shocked their opponents with a dazzling display of fast paced rugby under the hot Diani sun.

The tournament rules give every try scored one point. 

Purin Mwero and Pius Odera dotted down either side of half time to make Likoni Community one of the youngest sides to ever win the tournament. 

Their victory has been a culmination of years of hard work, grit, and determination.

This victory felt extra special for the south coast team who have been working closely with local youth in Kwale and Mombasa County to develop rugby, and give youth an opportunity to empower themselves.

 

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Makaba Omar who is the team's captain could not hide his pride at his team's unexpected success.

"It has been a very hard tournament but we were determined to win. We are a group of young people who have a passion for rugby and we are very glad that all the hard work has finally paid off." 

For the three days, Likoni Community set themselves apart from the rest of the challengers with their  quick passing, fitness and endurance as they ran rings around bigger and more experienced opponents.

According to their coach, Titus Mtawa, the victory is a reward of years of hard work. 

"We have been working together with other coaches to use rugby as a way to empower the youth in Likoni. Rugby has the power to transform the lives of young people and we have done exactly that with the group we have. These young people have tapped into their potential and love for sports to become community champions and role models."

In the plate final Safari Beach beat Team Perez 3-0 to take home the consolation trophy. Captain Collins Kabayo described it as bittersweet win.

"We had hoped to go all the way but we will settle for the plate trophy. We are using this tournament as players to get ready for the upcoming Kenya Cup season."

Kisumu's Shajaland were the winners in the bowl final.

As dust settles after three days of high-octane beach rugby action, it is becoming increasingly clear that rugby in Kenya will continue to benefit from youth development and out-of-the-box initiatives.