Ibra Kayanja stuns Kelvin Nkandu to claim 2024 PAU End of Year Championship

In a thrilling finale held at La’mour Pab in Kansanga, Uganda’s seasoned cueist Ibra Kayanja mounted a stunning comeback from two sets down (3-1) to defeat Zambia’s top seed and Africa’s number two, Kelvin Nkandu, 9-7, and claim the 2024 Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) End of Year championship.

Kayanja’s remarkable resurgence began as he rallied from 3-1 down to take a 4-3 lead, and further extended his advantage to 5-3.

The unstoppable Kayanja continued his fine run, securing a fifth consecutive win to stretch his lead to 6-3.

In game ten, he recorded a break and finish, putting the score at 7-3 and registering his sixth straight win.

However, Nkandu, nicknamed “Fikoti”, reorganized and fought back with a break and finish, trailing 7-4.

He further reduced the deficit with three sublime straight wins, leveling the contest at 7-7 in game 14.

Nkandu’s resurgence was short-lived, as he made a crucial foul break, allowing Kayanja to regain the lead at 8-7.

In the penultimate game, Kayanja failed to withstand the pressure and potted the white.

In a dramatic turn of events, Nkandu also potted the white immediately.

Kayanja seized the opportunity to finish off the game, sealing a hard-fought 9-7 victory in front of a jubilant crowd.

To reach the final, Kayanja narrowly defeated Ian Kazibwe 7-6, while Nkandu overwhelmed Glorious Ssenyonga 7-2 in the semi-finals.

In the third-place classification match, Kazibwe beat Ssenyonga to claim the bronze medal.

The winner, Kayanja, received a cash prize of UGX 2,000,000, while Nkandu took home UGX 1,500,000 for his second-place finish.

Kazibwe, the third-place winner, received UGX 750,000, and Ssenyonga, the fourth-place finisher, received UGX 400,000.

This was the second edition of the championship. Last year’s champion was Bwanika Mansoor following his triumph in Matugga.