Nyamira , Rigoma storm regional Chapa Dimba finals

The search for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba national champions continues this weekend in Nyanza with action heading to Nyamira and Kisumu for the region’s County finals.

Ahead of the Nyanza Regional finals, a total of 530 teams participated in the grassroots competition, 412 of these being boys’ teams and 118 girls’ teams, all of which competed from the ward level.

Nyamira FC from Nyamira stunned their opponents, St. Peter’s Nyaisa, with a resounding 6-0 victory to clinch the Nyamira County title as they now progress to the Nyanza Regional finals set for later this month.

Kevin Mayore was the star of the match having scored a hat trick with Kevin Orina and Emmanuel Bongoye, also on the scoring sheet for the hot Nyamira boys.

Seventeen-year-old Sharon Kemuma opened the title race for Rigoma Starlets as they beat Gekomoni Girls 3-2 to claim the County Championship in the Nyamira Girls' category. 

Kemuma was on the score sheet in the 27th minute but Linet Achieng equalized with a superb strike, leading both teams on a tier by the break.

Sharon Mokeira scored Rigoma Starlets’ second just four minutes after resumption with Kemuma grabbing her brace in the 54th minute for a 3-1 lead. 

With nine minutes left, the highly spirited striker Achieng, who had been trying to salvage her team from falling behind, netted her second goal, resulting in a final score of 3-2.

Speaking after the match, Nixon Obiero, the Rigoma Starlets Head Coach said ,"This year's Chapa Dimba has truly been tough, starting right from the group stages. Nevertheless, we have managed, and I am delighted that we have finally emerged as the county champions, securing a prize of KES. 75,000. This victory serves as a significant source of motivation for our girls, and as we prepare for the upcoming playoffs next week, our goal remains to win and advance to the regional finals," stated 

In Kisumu County, the reigning national champions Plateau Queens continued their dominant performance, defeating their rivals Manyatta Ladies 2-1 to claim the County championship in the Girls' category.

At the same time in Kisumu County, Obunga FC are the new county champions after edging out the reigning champions Manyatta United FC, in a 4-3 penalty shootout. 

Obunga came from a goal down in the first half with a remarkable comeback forcing the match into spot kicks. This victory marked the end of Manyatta's regional dominance in a game attended by hundreds of fans

The winning teams in both the boys’ and girls’ categories each took home KES 75,000, while the runners-up each received KES 30,000. Top scorers and the Best Goalkeepers from both the boys’ and girls’ teams each received KES 10,000 with the Most Valuable Players (MVP) taking home KES 10,000, plus an additional TVET scholarship to pursue a course of their choice, courtesy of Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations.