The just concluded Space Next Door Pool Fiesta Season 3 lived up to its billing as one of Kenya’s most electrifying sports events. Fans and players from across the country filled Space Next Door Sports, witnessing three days of intense, skill-packed action.

The high-stakes atmosphere peaked when the Mchana Morans triumphed over their sister team, the Mchana Gladiators, in a fierce 13–3 final.

The derby showdown, marked by brotherly rivalry and mutual respect, sealed a new chapter in Mchana Moran pool legacy.

In the women's finals Jacklyn Githinji beat Peninarose Njoki 5- 2 to clinch the win in the women's category while Mchana players met head on in another derby for the finals where Edwin Kikwai was beaten 4-7 by Evans Kiprotich concluding the three-day tournament.

Pool fans turn up in large numbers to watch the Space Next Door Pool Fiesta Season 3 tournament held on April 26,2026.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Adding to the thrill was an exhibition clash between international talents, where South Africa’s Ismaeh Mtetwa dominated Ugandan player Hazard 11–3, showcasing the global reach of the game.

According to Joseph Mugisha, coach of the victorious Mchana Morans, the win was the fruit of dedication and youth-driven energy.

“We’ve been training together for months, pushing these young players to adapt and think like champions,” he says.

Mugisha emphasized that beating the Season two defending champions, Mchana Knights, in the semifinals was perhaps a bigger triumph than the finals themselves.

Finalists Mchana Moran and Mchana Gladiators pose for a photo during the team category finals at the Space Next Door Pool Fiesta Season 3 tournament held on April 26,2026

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“They are Kenya’s A-team, and most of their players are on the national squad. To surpass them shows how far our preparation and teamwork have come,” he notes.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu Martin Kihato, the tournament director Kenya Pool' Billiards Federation (KPBF) notes that the tournament has gained popularity among pool lovers in the county seeing that more teams wanted to participate with some being locked out because of the capacity the tournament could accommodate.

“We've been here since Friday for Space Pool Fiesta Season 3. This is the third edition After having two last year. This year we have seen a massive improvement from the last edition that had 12 teams, In the team event to 16 teams this year,” he explains

Martin Kihato Tournament Director Kenya Pool' Billiards Federation (KPBF) speaks of the growth of competitive pool in Nakuru during Space Next Door Pool Fiesta Season 3 tournament held on April 26,2026

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Further he notes that for the singles men category, had an improvement of 196 players against 128 last year for the second edition. And for the ladies, they doubled their number to 48 from the previous 24 players last year.

Kihato notes that Nakuru players fully immersed themselves in the home tournament noting that out of the 196 players in the men's category, around 70 were from Nakuru. For the ladies, around 10 were from Nakuru whereas in the team categories, Nakuru had two teams: the Space next door team and one from Chili's.

Other than just walking home with a title Kihato says as a professional sport this edition had a total prize money of Sh 850,000 to appreciate the players skill and the work they put in.

“Teams and players will walk away with Prize money after three days on tight tournaments. In the men’s category the winner walked away with Sh 130,000 whereas the champion in the women’s category took home Sh 40,000. Top team category winners will be sh150,000.” Kihato Concludes.

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