Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) has introduced a Community Cup to be contested between Nairobi City Stars and Kibera Black Stars on Saturday 14 December 2019 starting 3pm at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho.
This is during the National Super League (NSL) match day 19 clash.
JJF acquired Nairobi City Stars back in April 2019 and are the club’s bank-rollers and the Cup being presented, dubbed JJF Jamii Cup, will be contested by the same teams in the first leg as well as second leg of the 2019/2020 National Super League (NSL). Its basic objective is to attract fans back to the stadium.
Ahead of the mouthwatering Kawangware – Kibera derby on Saturday, Musalia Mwenesi, the JJF CEO shared his sentiments;
“JJF Jamii Cup aimed at raising competitiveness of both sides as a Nairobi City Stars and Kibera Black Stars is a derby in its own right,”
“In this initiative we as JJF are floating a Cup for the winner to be accompanied with a Kshs 20,000 cash prize. The losing team will walk home with Kshs 10,000. The MVP on either side will receive a pair of football boots,”
“We plan to grow the initiative further in years to come and turn it to a major fan attraction event even at the point the two sides may end up playing in separate leagues.” Added Mwenesi
City Stars CEO Patrick Korir echoed Mwenesi’s sentiments adding;
“Over the years each Black Stars and City Stars meet the game is on a knife edge; it’s always a close call. This time we are providing fans from either divide a real platform to come cheer their teams to victory as there is a ready take-home right after,”
“Ideally the game should have been played at Hope Centre in Kawangware, a ground both sides use for their home games, but with the facility closed for renovations till next year, the venue has had to shift to Camp Toyoyo.”
FKF Nairobi West Branch Secretary General Caleb Ayodi Malweyi is excited at the concept and has given it full backing;
“This is an interesting initiative especially the idea of getting fans back to the game. This and many more will excite the fans. And if fans see reason to come to the cheer their teams the better.” He said
Should the game be tied at full time penalties will be called in to determine the winner.
Heading to the game, 30 points separates the two teams as Nairobi City Stars tops the 19-team NSL with 43 points and Kibera Black Stars is 16th with 13 points.