Kenyan academy, Mighty Eagles risk missing prestigious Gothia Cup

Mighty Eagles Academy may miss this year's Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden due to financial constraints. 

The Kitale-based academy was invited to participate in the world's largest international youth football tournament that will witness over 1600 teams from 59 nations in this year's edition.

According to the Eagles founder Moses Zewedi, the team's trip to Sweden now hangs in the balance because they cannot raise the money needed for travel and accommodation.

"The boys have been preparing since December last year, and it will be very unfair if they fail to participate in the tournament. Such tournaments allow youngsters to be spotted for possible signings to European academies and leagues.

That is why we are appealing to the well-wishers to sponsor us financially so that we can honor the invitation and participate in the tournament," Zewedi said in an interview with Pulse Sports.

Recently the academy clinched the Under-15 and Under-13 Trans Nzoia County league. 

However, Zewedi says their efforts to get financial assistance from the county government have been unfruitful. 

"We had approached our County Government of Trans Nzoia for sponsorship of which they had promised to support us but up to now they have not shown any commitments," he added.

Mighty Eagles Academy has already identified the 28 players that will participate in the tournament, where they have been accepted to play in the U-17 age group of the soccer jamboree.

The academy was founded in 2019 and trains young football players between the ages of 8 and 20.

Most of their players hail from the slum areas of Shimo la Tewa, Crossroads, Gatua, Namgoi, Cherangani of Kaplamai, Aruba, Matisi, and other parts of the entire Trans Nzoia County.