It is all set for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza regional finals as eight teams line up for the regional championship scheduled for this weekend at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
The two-day sporting extravaganza will see eight teams (four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams) from the six counties of the Nyanza region – Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii and Nyamira – that qualified from the regional inter-county playoffs held last weekend battle it out for the regional title and a slot at the national championships.
Saturday’s semi-final fixtures will kick off with girls’ action between Ageng’a Girls from Migori County and Victoria Sports Academy from Siaya. The second match will feature Awendo Academy facing off against St. Peter’s Wagai in a boy’s semifinal.
In the third match, Plateau Queens from Nyakach, overall winners in the inaugural Chapa Dimba and currently the reigning Nyanza regional champions, will be aiming for nothing less than defending their title as they face off against Kisii Queens from Kisii County.
The climax of Saturday’s action will witness prolific striker Duncan Omala leading Obunga FC, the recently crowned Kisumu Champions, as they go head-to-head with Nyaguku FC from Nyamira County.
“Chapa Dimba is one of the tournaments that we cannot afford to miss out on as it has been instrumental in showcasing the talents within our school. Some of our former players have gone on to participate in both local and international leagues. As the reigning regional and first national champions in the girls’ category, our sole aim for this weekend’s matches is to retain our title. We have maintained an unbeaten record since the tournament’s inception at the sub-county level, including the inter-county playoffs,” said Chrispine Odindo, the Coach of Plateau Queens.
Teams that emerge victorious in Saturday’s semi-finals will proceed to the finals on Sunday, 1st October, where each winning team (boys and girls) will take home KES. 250,000 and book a slot to represent Nyanza region at the national finals set for early next year in Nairobi.
They will join Ebwali Boys and Brenda Girls from the Western region who have already booked their tickets to the national finals.
The runners-up teams will take home KES. 150,000 each. The Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer (boys and girls) will each receive KES. 30,000. The Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) will also receive KES. 30,000 and an additional TVET scholarship from Safaricom Foundation.
Today, Safaricom hosted players’ and coaches’ clinics ahead of the weekend matches. These clinics offered training on various aspects of the football tournament, including the use of GPS-wearable vests. Safaricom has introduced these vests to improve player scouting by collecting data and creating player profiles during matches, using globally recognized and accepted metrics.
“Chapa Dimba is one of the key assets we are using to nurture talents and transform the lives of our young people here in the country. As part of the event, we also conduct various activities, such as providing free medical training and offering financial and digital literacy programs to boda boda riders and SME individuals. Today, we conducted training sessions for both players and coaches, focusing on various aspects of the football tournament, including the utilization of GPS wearable vests. We introduced these vests to facilitate player scouting by collecting data and constructing player profiles during matches, using metrics that are globally recognized and accepted,” stated Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom
Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza region featured a total of 530 teams, 412 Boys’ teams and 118 Girls’ teams, that participated in the tournament from the ward level.
Safaricom Chapa Dimba aims to provide a structured platform for scouts and coaches to tap into new talent and build feeder systems for the Kenyan football leagues across the country while also training a total of 250 coaches. The tournament targets footballers aged between 16 and 20 years old.
