Kenya: National efootball Champion Kiplagat Makes Kenya Proud At African Championships

18 January 2026
Capital FM (Nairobi)

 - Kenya's eFootball mobile champion, Hanningtone Kiplagat, finished in the top 8 at the Africa eFootball Championship held from January 15-16 in Casablanca, Morocco.

Kiplagat began his campaign in Group F with a tactical and disciplined approach. After an opening 0-0 draw against a resilient Zimbabwe, he delivered the performance of the group stages by dismantling Lesotho with a commanding 10-0 victory.

Despite a narrow 1-2 loss to Mali in the final group fixture, Kiplagat secured second place in the group, ensuring his progression to the knockout stages.

In the Round of 16, Kiplagat faced a formidable challenge from Ghana. Showing maturity beyond his years, he navigated a high-pressure match to emerge with a 2-1 win, advancing to the final eight.

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His journey reached a climax in the quarter-finals, where he faced the tournament's host and Africa's top-ranked player from Morocco. In a tightly contested battle that showcased the highest level of mobile eFootball, Kiplagat narrowly lost 1-2.

The Moroccan champion eventually went on to win the tournament, defeating Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in a thrilling final.

Kiplagat promised to pick the lessons and come back stronger.

"Representing Kenya on this stage for the first time was a dream come true. Facing Africa's top side in the quarter-finals was a massive challenge, and while the 1-2 loss is tough to take, I've proven that I can compete at the highest level. As an IT student and a player, this journey has taught me so much about focus and resilience. I'm proud of my top 8 finish, and this is only the beginning of my journey for Kenya," he said.

Kiplagat added: "Kiplagat's performance in Casablanca is a testament to the growth of the esports scene in Kenya," said Esports Kenya President Ronny Lusigi. "To reach the quarter-finals and push the continent's top-ranked player to the limit on his international debut is an incredible achievement. We are immensely proud of his representation of the national colors."

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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