Safaricom Chapa Dimba top 12 teams from across the Nyanza region have advanced to the Regional Finals, set for Saturday, 12th and Sunday, 13th September at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, in Kisumu.
The 12 teams secured their places after being crowned county champions in their respective county finals held this weekend. Each champion took home Ksh. 75,000, while the runners-up received Ksh. 30,000, alongside other individual prizes.
Among the teams that will represent Nyanza at the Regional Finals are Kisumu county champions Obunga FC and Plateau Queens, Migori’s Awendo Academy, and Kisii’s Sameta High School.
In Kisumu, Obunga FC saw off Julu Nyambugu 4-1 on penalties after the game ended in a barren draw to successfully defend their county title and secure a place in the Regional Finals.
Speaking after the tournament, Obunga FC Head Coach Evans Oketch said the team’s experience in the competition, coupled with their visit to Spain last year, helped them maintain their composure and secure victory.
“It was not an easy game. Our opponents were tough and pushed us to penalties. I thank my players and the fans for their support in helping us retain the county title. The experience I have gained through Chapa Dimba and our visit to Spain last year helped us stay focused and get the job done. There will be pressure at the regionals as defending champions, but we are ready to fight for the regional crown,” said Evans.
Read More: Safaricom Chapa Dimba Enters Nyanza for County Finals
Plateau Queens Retain Kisumu Crown
Meanwhile, two-time defending champions Plateau Queens (Nyakach Girls) retained their county crown for a third time after seeing off Victoria Soccer Academy 4-0.
Joan Ogola opened the scoring for Plateau Queens in the 13th minute before Emily Adhiambo completed a hat-trick to seal a convincing victory for the champions.
“I am really excited to retain this title for the third time. We dominated the game and made sure that we won. For the regionals, we are going for nothing but the trophy. We are ready, as this is one of the tournaments we value a lot,” said Chrispine Odindo, Head Coach, Plateau Queens.
Elsewhere in Siaya, Indomitable Soldiers edged Real Talent Academy 10-9 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regular time to clinch the boys’ title and be crowned the new county champions.
Nyamira Starlets overcame Lwak Starlets 6-5 on penalties to lift the trophy.
Awendo Academy Defend Migori Title
In Migori, Korwa Secondary School fell 1-0 to defending county champions Awendo Academy, who lifted the boys’ county trophy for the second time.
Meanwhile, Oyugi Ogango Girls claimed the title after edging Mukuyu Queens 3-2 in a tightly contested final.
Over in Nyamira, defending champions Nyaguku FC retained the boys’ county title for the second time after overcoming Global Junior 4-1 on penalties following another tightly contested match that ended in a barren draw.
The girls’ title, however, went to Masosa Starlets, who were crowned the new champions after defeating the Season Four champions 1-0.
In Kisii, Sameta High School edged The Mighty FC 1-0 to clinch the boys’ county title, while Otendo Comprehensive Starlets lifted the girls’ trophy after defeating Omogwa Comprehensive 2-0.
New Champions Emerge in Homa Bay
In Homa Bay County, Kendu Muslim and Hedso Queens, also known as Saye Secondary School, from Kabondo Kasipul, emerged as the new Safaricom Chapa Dimba county champions.
Kendu Muslim edged Kokwanyo Youth Soccer Academy 4-3 on penalties to claim the boys’ title in a tightly contested final played at Kendu Muslim Primary School Grounds in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County.
The match ended goalless in regular time before Kendu Muslim held their nerve to prevail in the penalty shootout.
For the girls, Hedso Queens came from behind to claim their first-ever Safaricom Chapa Dimba county title after defeating Kachar Queens of Rangwe 3-2 on penalties.
The Nyanza Regional Finals will kick off with an inter-county playoff, followed by coaches’ and players’ clinics, before the competition moves into the semi-finals and finals at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, in Kisumu.
