Brazil boots out Kenya in phygital football. Kenya’s impressive debut at the Phygital Football Contenders Tournament came to an end after a tough quarterfinal loss to Brazil on July 28 at the ADNEC Convention Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Brazil dominated both phases of the game. They secured a 5-2 victory in the digital stage, then overwhelmed Kenya 5-1 in the physical segment. The combined score saw Brazil advance to the semifinals with a convincing aggregate.
Despite the loss, Kenya’s performance stood out. The team topped Group E, finishing ahead of esports powerhouses USA and Uzbekistan. That achievement alone made headlines, especially for a team playing at the global phygital stage for the first time.
Though the defeat means Kenya misses out on automatic qualification for the Games of the Future, all hope is not lost. Brazil now joins Armenia, Bosnia, and Mexico in securing direct tickets to the prestigious event set for December 18–23, 2025, in Abu Dhabi.
Kenya, the highest-ranked African team, remains in contention for one of six invitation slots. Phygital International will announce the final list later this year.
Esports Kenya President Ronny Lusigi praised the squad’s performance. He said the main goal was to qualify and get out of the group, and the players delivered. “We missed the Games of the Future by one step, but the experience has built us. Kenya will come back stronger,” Lusigi stated.
The national team returns to Nairobi on July 30, bringing back pride, valuable lessons, and a strong foundation for the future.
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