Young Maleche hopes to ride on Nairobi tournament success to reach greater heights
South 'C' Rangers players celebrate after being crowned champions of Khalif Super Cup at Ulinzi Sports Complex on December 20, 2025.
Forward Ali Maleche hopes to use victory in the inaugural edition of Khalif Super Cup as a stepping stone to success in his football career.
On Saturday, Maleche scored the winner for South ‘C’ Rangers in the final of the tournament to help his team beat State City 1-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
In the 58th minute of the match, the diminutive forward made the most of a lapse in defence by State City and chested down a cross before rifling a superb finish into the far corner.
State City responded with urgency, creating several chances in search of an equalizer, but profligacy in front of goal let them down. South ‘C’ Rangers had a chance to double their advantage, but they squandered two scoring chances.
Maleche’s performance earned him the Most Valuable Player award.
“This tournament has been very competitive. Hopefully, talent coaches from top clubs who were here have seen what we have done as a team and individually as a player. I hope I can continue playing well for my team and even land a bigger club with a bigger platform. Some day, I want to play and score for the national team,” the forward said.
South ‘C’ Rangers’ goalkeeper Kevin Masongo was named goalkeeper of the tournament after registering five clean sheets in the tournament, while John Wambua of Kuwinda 1 walked away with the Golden Boot after netting seven goals.
South C Rangers players celebrate after winning the inaugural Khalif Super Cup at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi, on December 21, 2025.
Top scorer Wambua hopes the exposure that the tournament has provided will open bigger doors for him.
“Scoring is what I enjoy doing, and if bigger clubs come for my services, then I will gladly oblige and show my skills to a bigger audience,” he said. “This tournament exposed me to some mean defenders, but I still managed to outwit most of them and score,” he observed.
Champions South ‘C’ Rangers took home the top prize of a 33-seater bus, while State City were awarded a 14-seater van, same as Kuwinda, who thrashed Akiba 3–0 in the third-place play-off match. The tournament was sponsored by Abbas Khalif.
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