Awendo: Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens of Migori and Kisumu Counties have been crowned the boys’ and girls’ champions, respectively, after winning the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Five Nyanza Regional Finals, held at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.
According to Kenya News Agency, Awendo Football Academy secured its maiden Nyanza regional title after defeating Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers 4-0 in the boys’ final, while Plateau Queens retained the girls’ title for a third consecutive time after defeating Homa Bay-based Hedso Queens 4-0. Both Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens received Sh250,000 and secured qualification to represent Nyanza at the national finals. The runners-up, Indomitable Soldiers and Hedso Queens, each received Sh150,000.
In the boys’ final, Awendo dominated the match, with Kevin Mukaramoja scoring a hat-trick. Mukaramoja opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a free kick and added a second goal in the 28th minute. Rayce Ochieng extended the lead in the 77th minute, and Mukaramoja completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute to secure the win. This victory marked Awendo’s first Nyanza regional title after previously reaching the regional final without success.
For the girls, Plateau Queens continued their dominance by defeating Hedso Queens 4-0. Goals from Beryl Awuor, Emily Adhiambo, Joan Agola, and Velma Auma helped Plateau Queens successfully defend their regional crown. In their semi-final, Plateau Queens had defeated Masosa Starlets 8-0, with Emily Adhiambo scoring a hat-trick. Hedso Queens reached the final by defeating Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 4-0.
The regional competition featured 12 county champions from six Nyanza counties, with each county represented by a boys’ and girls’ team. Teams progressed from county-level championships to the Nyanza showdown in Kisumu. Nyanza recorded 559 team registrations this season, with 401 boys’ teams and 158 girls’ teams, making it the second-highest participating region after Rift Valley.
In the semi-finals, defending champions Obunga FC lost to Indomitable Soldiers 1-0, with Nelson Warambo scoring the decisive goal. Awendo Football Academy secured their place in the final by defeating Kendu Muslim 1-0, with Mukaramoja scoring the winner. Individual performers were recognized, with Kevin Mukaramoja and Emily Adhiambo receiving the top scorer awards.
Awards were given to Chris Georgian of Awendo Football Academy and Valarie Achieng of Plateau Queens as the best goalkeepers, while Alex Ouma of Indomitable Soldiers and Imelda Akinyi of Plateau Queens were named the Most Valuable Players (MVPs). Each award winner received Sh.30,000, and the MVPs received fully funded tertiary education scholarships under Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.
Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens will now represent Nyanza at the Chapa Dimba National Finals scheduled for early 2027. The national finals will include other regional qualifiers such as St. Joseph Starlets and LYSA from the Central Region, and Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive from the Western Region. The venue and date for the national finals are yet to be announced.
The competition now moves to the Eastern Region, with the regional finals set to be held in Embu. Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a grassroots football tournament aimed at nurturing young football talent in Kenya. The tournament provides players with opportunities for professional growth and exposure, incorporating activities like training on mental health and financial literacy, and using GPS technology for talent scouting.
