Football: All set for Rift Valley region finals of Chapa Dimba tournament

Chapa Dimba tournament

A total of eight teams qualified for the Rift-Valley regional finals of the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament held at the weekend.

The eight include four boys' and four girls' teams. In Kitale, Tartar Girls edged out Wiyeta by a solitary goal to book a place in the regionals.

Wiyeta dominated the match, but did not take their chances. Instead, they allowed Elizabeth Wafula to score in the 60th minute.

Despite a late comeback in the second half, Tartar managed to defend well to ensure they emerged the North Western branch winners.

In the boys' category, Kapenguria Heroes crushed Kakuma United 3-1 to be declared the North Western branch winners.

In Bomet, Chesoen girls squeezed a 1-0 win over Fanaka while Kapsoit were too good for Silibwet, whom they sent home 3-1. The two teams will represent South Rift branch in the finals.

At Huruma grounds in Eldoret, Iten United needed post-match penalties to beat Moi Kapcherop 3-2 to make it to the finals of the girls category. The match had ended in a barren draw after full time.

The winners of the boys category were Mwiritu Secondary School who thrashed Samoei 3-0.

The Central Rift branch winners in the girls category were Loyal Youth who beat Nysa 5-0 with goals from Lilian Kivunze who netted a brace, Elizabeth Njeri, Musembi Rhoda and Margrate Wangui with a goal each.

Nakuru All Stars from Nakuru sub-branch were too good for Al Ahly whom they beat 3-2 to emerge the boys’ winner. All Stars got their goals from Victor Ochieng’s brace and Austin Ochieng. The losers scored through Jamala Suheib and Muli Maqboul.

The tournament was re-launched in July after a two-year absence and is sponsored by mobile phone operator Safaricom to the tune of Sh100 million.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) the tournament is being played in all its 84 sub-branches.

“We are satisfied at how the tournament has turned out so far. Our coaches have also been able to see some good talent who will flourish in future,” he said.

The boys and girls tournaments are played in five stages with each regional winner proceeding to the  national tournament and national finals.

Regional finals will take place from November to early December 2017, and from mid-January to early March 2018. The grand finale - that brings all boys and girls regional winners, will be held next year in March.

Both boys and girls winners will each walk home with a Sh1 million and a trip to London in April 2018 where they will link up with the tournaments Ambassador Victor Wanyama of English Premiership side Tottenham. [Gilbert Wandera]