Nzoia Sugar FC head coach Salim Babu has praised his players despite losing to AFC Leopards in the Elijah Lidonde Cup final on Sunday afternoon at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.Ingwe thrived 8-7 in post-match penalties after the match had ended in a barren stalemate and Benson Mangala’s missed kick proved crucial as it enabled Ingwe to emerge victorious in the inaugural Lidonde Memorial Cup a tournament organized to honour the former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards captain.##NAJAVA_MECA_6497287##In his post-match assessment, Babu thanked the players for sticking to the instructions and refused to blame them for bowing out through penalty kicks terming it a lottery.“I thank the boys. They played well, stuck to the instructions and we played very well, I am happy with our performance. As you know penalty is a lottery, it can go either side,” the former Kisumu All-Stars tactician said.On Saturday, the Millers mauled Kakamega Homeboyz 5-2 to book a ticket to the final. Ingwe on the other hand overcame Vihiga Bullets 5-3 to set up a final between the two sides which was a repeat of the final league match of the season played at the Sudi Stadium where Nozia won 5-3.WE WIN AFC Leopards 8 Nzoia Sugar FC 7#LidondeCup #OursForever #INGWE— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) July 10, 2022 Babu believes they played well in both game although he admits that injuries altered their plans heading to the final against Leopards.“The games were good, we had prepared well for the tournament. On Saturday we played well against Homeboyz, but against Leopards, I think we got derailed a little by enforced changes due to injuries, that ruined the planed that we had for the game,” he added.For winning the cup, Ingwe get Ksh. 1 million while Nzoia walk home with half a million, Vihiga Bullets who finished third get Ksh. 300,000 while Homeboyz who lost both their game get Ksh. 250,000.
