Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive Academy have been crowned the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Five Western Region champions after emerging victorious in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.
Vihiga Cranes secured the boys’ title after edging Musokoto from Busia County 1-0 in a fiercely contested final at Masinde Muliro stadium in Bungoma, while Lugari Progressive Academy clinched the girls’ crown after overcoming Chakol Queens of Teso South 5-4 on post-match penalties following a barren draw in regulation time.
Speaking to the media after the final, Vihiga Cranes head coach Francis Muhambe said the team’s journey to the regional title had been far from easy, attributing their success to discipline, dedication, commitment and prayer.
Muhambe also credited the inclusion of Grade 10 players in the squad during the finals, saying their contribution played a crucial role in securing the title.
“Dedication, commitment and prayers have made us win this trophy. I must express my gratitude to Safaricom for gifting us KSh250,000 and a smartphone to all my players. The money and phones are a boost. We are going to buy other key equipment that will help us as we move forward,” Muhambe said.
The coach expressed confidence that Vihiga Cranes could lift the national title if fairness and transparency were upheld during the national competition.
“If fairness is practised at the national level, then I will lift the trophy and walk home with the KSh1 million cash prize,” he added.
On her part, Lugari Progressive Academy head coach Fred Serenge thanked Safaricom for sustaining the Chapa Dimba competition, describing it as an important platform for identifying, exposing and nurturing young football talent.
Serenge, however, called for greater scrutiny of player eligibility, alleging that some teams field ineligible players during the competition.
“It has not been easy, but we thank God. After defeating Butere Girls at the county level, we were confident of lifting the regional trophy. This is not the end; we are going to strategise on winning the national trophy,” Serenge said.
“I must thank Chapa Dimba because this game gives young people a very beautiful platform. We are only calling for proper eligibility and transparency on the players who are allowed to take part because some coaches have been fielding ineligible players. Let us enhance credibility and integrity because this is not just about Chapa Dimba, but about supporting and nurturing talent,” he added.
Vihiga County Governor Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka hailed Safaricom for its investment in grassroots football, saying Chapa Dimba was providing young players with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and pursue careers beyond the local scene.
“Safaricom is nurturing talent, and we have seen a beautiful game. As leaders of this region, we will always offer the necessary support to these young talents. We will also support them when they go to the national competition,” Ottichilo said.
Safaricom Western Region Lead Gunilla Ouko said all four teams that reached the regional finals deserved recognition, noting that they had overcome stiff competition from hundreds of teams.
According to Ouko, 521 teams registered for the Western Region leg, battling through the ward, sub-county and county stages before reaching the regional competition.
“The Western leg has really done well. We had 521 teams registering, so for me, the four teams that played today are winners. It is not easy to come from 521 teams to this level. Kudos to the teams,” Ouko said.
She added that the standout players could earn an opportunity to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, while also revealing that Chapa Dimba offers players opportunities beyond cash prizes, including education sponsorship.
“I hope they will do well at the national level so that they proceed to Sweden for the Gothia Cup. I am confident that we will get good talents for the national team,” Ouko said.
With the Western Region leg now concluded, attention shifts to the Central and Coast regions before the competition heads to Nyanza, where Safaricom is expected to identify the remaining regional representatives in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
The national stage will determine who ultimately walks away with the coveted KSh1 million prize, setting the stage for another fierce battle for Chapa Dimba supremacy.
