Yesterday marked a significant milestone for grassroots football in Kenya as the RASC 6th Edition official draw was conducted at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. The ceremony, graced by former football legends, coaches, and players, revealed the groups for the much-anticipated tournament that now features both Kwale and Mombasa counties.
This year’s edition has expanded to accommodate 32 teams, with 16 from Kwale and 16 from Mombasa, each split into four groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, where a unique cross-county knockout format will take place. The first-placed team in Group A of Kwale, for instance, will face the second-placed team from Group A of Mombasa and vice versa. Group winners will retain home ground advantage—Waa Primary Grounds and Kombani Grounds for Kwale, and Serani Complex, Mbaraki Sports Club, or Mombasa Sports Club for Mombasa, depending on availability.
Official Group Draw
KWALE COUNTY
Group A
Denmak FC
Kundutsi FC
Green Boys FC
Mshale FC
Group B
Dumna FC
Generation
Kinango Raptors
Nasty Millan FC
Group C
Lazium FC
Fafada FC
Similani FC
Makamini FC
Group D
Azzam United FC
Vivah Manyota FC
Blue Rangers FC
Vanga United FC
MOMBASA COUNTY
Group A
Congo Boys
Shanzu United
Kishada Soccer
Wananyuki FC
Group B
Bandari Youth FC
Shimanzi FC
Fayaz Bakers FC
Vimbwanga FC
Group C
Mombasa All Stars
Tononoka Combine
Ziwani FC
Change Youth Academy
Group D
Paranja Biro FC
Mvita Young Stars
Kiembeni Rebels
Sparki Youth
Legends Grace the Draw Ceremony
Among the notable guests at the draw was former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, who passionately endorsed the initiative.
“I’m proud of Rashid Abdalla for the work he’s doing. Last year while I was in South Africa, I called him and advised that players need to be filmed during such tournaments. Videos help scouts assess talent better than mere words. Kwale and Mombasa have excellent midfielders and goalkeepers, and I’ve committed to work with Rashid to spotlight these players. Some can even secure clubs abroad—not just NSL or KPL.”
Former Bandari FC coach Anthony “Modo” Kimani also shared his thoughts, praising the consistency and growth of the tournament since its inception.
“Rashid and Lulu Hassan have done a remarkable job. The teams keep improving, players are getting scouted, and even coaches are showcasing their talent. Artists are also benefiting by entertaining during matches—it’s a wholesome platform for talent development.”
Rashid Abdalla: Visionary Behind RASC
RASC founder Rashid Abdalla, who has spearheaded the tournament since its beginning, expressed his gratitude and aspirations.
“I thank God for the positive response from teams and the community, especially online. Last year our RASC Select team played friendlies with Gor Mahia, KCB, and Tusker FC. We had interest from AFC Leopards, Homeboyz, and Police FC, but time constraints limited us. This year, I believe we’ll create an even stronger Select team from both counties. Ghost Mulee has assured us of scouts, and I’m confident we can help players secure opportunities even abroad.”
When asked why he included Mombasa County this year, Rashid shared a personal connection:
“I played for Mende FC in Mombasa, Still Makers who paid my school fees, and Finika in Mtwapa. I know football has no boundaries.”
Special Highlights This Edition
Awards will be given to the Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach, Best Captain, and the team with the Best Fans.
Discipline will be strictly enforced—any team showing misconduct, even in the first match, will be disqualified.
Women’s Football Returns to RASC – With a Focus on Local Talent
While the 6th Edition of RASC is bringing back the Women’s Football Segment, this is not the first time the tournament has included women. In fact, the 1st to 3rd editions featured a women’s competition. However, tournament founder Rashid Abdalla explained that after closely evaluating those early editions, he realized that many of the players participating were not local .
“The goal was to uplift homegrown talent, but I noticed most of the women involved were not from our counties, and that was not meeting the core objective of RASC,” he said.
As a result, the women’s segment was paused in the 4th and 5th editions to re-strategize. Now, in the 6th edition, the women’s tournament is making a comeback—but this time, with a clear focus: all eight participating teams must consist strictly of local players (wazawa).
“We want to ensure that the platform genuinely benefits our own girls from here. There’s a lot of untapped talent, and this is their stage,” Rashid affirmed.
The same rules will apply—no NSL or KPL players will be allowed, maintaining the tournament’s grassroots spirit.
As the tournament kicks off soon, excitement is building across both counties. With big names watching closely and a promise of career-changing opportunities for young players, RASC 6th Edition is set to be one of the most impactful grassroots tournaments Kenya has seen.
Stay tuned for match updates, fixtures, and player highlights from the RASC 6th Edition.
Good ideas and we hope for the best and we are encouraging teams to play at their best