Karen Crusaders Celebrating in past beach rugby event.Photo:File
Karen Crusaders were crowned champions of the Mombasa Beach Rugby Charity Cup after edging their sister side Karen Chiefs 1–0 in a closely contested final at Nyali Beach on Sunday evening.
The two Nairobi-based sides displayed class and tactical discipline throughout the two-day tournament, overcoming tough opposition from Coast and upcountry teams to set up an all-Karen showdown in the final.
In the quarterfinals, Crusaders narrowly beat Tononoka 1–0, while Karen Chiefs edged Safaricom RFC 1–0 to book their semifinal slots. Bamburi Cranes stunned Safaricom Kings 2–1, and Shanzu Marlins produced a fine display to defeat Guns for Hire 4–2, earning a place in the last four.
The semifinal stage saw more drama and intensity as Crusaders saw off home favorites Shanzu Marlins 1–0, while Karen Chiefs ended Bamburi Cranes’ fine run with a 1–0 victory, setting up the much-anticipated Karen derby final.
In the final, Crusaders’ lone goal proved decisive, securing them the title and bragging rights over their counterparts.
The Mombasa Beach Rugby Charity Cup, hosted by Shanzu Marlins RFC, aimed to raise funds for the club’s participation in the upcoming KRU Nationwide League and to revive the culture of beach rugby at the Coast after several years of absence.
The tournament attracted 12 teams, including five from Nairobi and seven from Mombasa, marking a successful comeback for beach rugby on Kenyan shores.
Organizers have promised to make the event an annual feature, with plans already underway for an even bigger edition next year
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