Laikipia and Beyond Unity Cup football tournament ends A great success, with Central Rhinos winning the cup

Samuel Eto'o, Patron of the inaugural Laikipia and Beyond Unity Cup, was a favourite from the time he touched down. Alighting from a helicopter that landed in the middle of the Nanyuki Municipal Stadium, he was introduced to each player representing four regions of Laikipia - Eastern Grevys, Northern Elephants, Central Rhinos and Uaso Lions. After the national anthem, Eto'o greeted the crowd in French, followed by a translation, and then kicked the match ball to start the first of two semi-finals. He was accompanied by his brother Serges Biket, who also quickly became much-loved by the crowds. As the day wore on, the numbers swelled as thousands came to see Eto'o for themselves.

The following day saw the finals. Jochen Zeitz, founder of the Zeitz Foundation, arrived and, with Eto'o, watched a thrilling match between the Central Rhinos and the Northern Elephants. Favourites from the beginning, the Central Rhinos were pushed to the limit and, at full time, the score was 1-1. In the post-match golden goal (sudden death) penalties, the pressure was too much for the Northern Elephants and the ball hit the post. The ecstatic Rhinos celebrated with their fans around Nanyuki town.

Immediately after, Jochen Zeitz donned his goalkeeper kit and faced 25 invited guests and organisers in a Guest Penalty Shoot Out. Penalty takers (besides Eto'o) included UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner; British High Commissioner, Rob McCaire; the South African High Commissioner, Tony Msimanga; Lt Col Rex Sartain of the British Army, MP for Laikipia East, Hon Ndiritu Murithi; MP Laikipia West, Hon Kiunjuri and the Charge d'Affaires from the Brazilian Embassy, Antonio Ricarte.

During lunch, the 32 teams who had participated in the LUC received photographs taken at the regional events. In addition, Zeitz and Eto'o presented the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) a certificate mounted with photographs as a souvenir of the event, which they made possible through their partnership in providing accommodation and food for all the players.

Thereafter, there was an exhibition match between Mathare United from Nairobi and the cream of Laikipia, drawn from all the regional teams and named "Laikipia United." Mathare United scored in the first half and Eto'o took to the field for Laikipia much to the delight of the swelling crowd.

The medal ceremony was concluded speedily as Eto'o had to catch a flight back to Nairobi. Each team member received a medal, plus a bag of gifts from the South African High Commission and a shirt from Safaricom, one of the main sponsors. The man of the match, William Muhanji received his gift, a solar powered lamp, from Samuel Eto'o who had picked him out from the start.

Before leaving, Eto'o dedicated his first goal of the new season to Laikipia District and, after a quick press conference, he was escorted to Nanyuki airstrip by the Kenya Police.

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