Red Bull Four 2 Score: Kenyan side Desai bags ticket to Germany for World Final

Their crowning moment at the end of an electrifying tournament also meant they have booked their place in the World Final, which will take place in Leipzig, Germany this August.

Mohamed Hassan and Peter Bol each scored twice to steer Desai past Harike who found their consolation goal through Ali Fauz on a day filled with emotions. 

The National Finale, staged at the Nairobi International School just on the outskirts of the capital, had brought together 16 of the finest teams selected through a series of qualifiers. 

Bayern Mombasa, who lost to Desai in a cruel semi, defeated Serani Sports 5-3 in the third place playoff inspired by a hat-trick from the tournament’s standout star Yusuf Ali. 

Bayern will rue what might have been after surrendering a 2-0 goal lead in their semi against Desai before conceding a late dagger that counted for two goals as per tournament rules to draw 2-2. 

The stalemate forced the contest to be decided through a 1v1 face-off, which ended disastrously for Ali after Bol took him out in no time with a superb long range effort. 

It was heart-breaking turnaround for Bayern who were inconsolable as their dreams of honour on a global stage evaporated in a flash. 

For Desai, it was a worthy reward for their never-say-die approach that has now put them on a path to achieve ultimate football glory in Germany. 

“We’ve got here because we trusted in our own ability as a team and as individuals. There were some high pressure moments but we never quit. 

“It’s such a proud moment to be called national champions and now to get the chance to fly the Kenyan flag is an even bigger honour,” Desai captain Corley Onguti said post-match. 

Harike, with the help of their talisman Abdullhafidh Abdillahi, had been consistent through the tournament but simply collapsed in the final as Desai swept to an easy victory. 

Abdillahi was in tears and the team distraught as they collected their silver medals after another teary parade from Bayern who settled for bronze. 

Red Bull Four 2 Score National Finalists: Desai FC (winner), Harike FC (runners-up), Bayern Mombasa (third place), Mkunguni FC, Serani Sports, Smart Legends, Ngara All Stars, Madaraka All Stars, Wild West Youngins, University of Nairobi (UoN) FC, FC Zaga and Mazkbads.

About Red Bull Four 2 Score: 

The special tournament brings electrifying twist to traditional football format by challenging players to show their best small-field skills in intense 4 vs 4 matches.

The rules include 10-minute matches, no breaks and no goalie. On top of that, goals during the first and last minute count for double, rewarding high risk tactics throughout.