Plateau Queens of Nyakach and Awendo Football Academy have been crowned the 2026 Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza regional champions after dominant victories in the girls’ and boys’ finals at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo, Kisumu.
Plateau Queens sealed the girls’ title in emphatic fashion after thrashing Homa Bay-based Hedso Queens 4-0 in the final on Sunday, while Awendo Football Academy matched the feat by defeating Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers by a similar 4-0 scoreline to lift the boys’ trophy.
The victories capped an action-packed regional tournament that brought together some of the best emerging football talent from across Nyanza.
On Saturday, Nyakach Girls under Plateau Queens produced one of the most convincing performances of the tournament, hammering Nyamira’s Masosa Starlets 8-0 to book their place in the final.
In the boys’ competition, Wagai FC edged Mighty Obunga FC 1-0 in a fiercely contested encounter that remained undecided until the final whistle, earning Wagai a place in the decisive clash against Awendo Football Academy.
The regional champions walked away with KSh250,000 each, while the runners-up received KSh150,000 each.
Individual awards also came with significant rewards, with the best goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and top scorer in both the boys’ and girls’ categories each receiving KSh30,000, a smartphone and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation and a monthly upkeep stipend, giving beneficiaries an opportunity to pursue courses of their choice at a public tertiary institution in Kenya.
The tournament will also provide a pathway to international football, with outstanding players set to be selected for the Chapa Dimba All-Stars team, which will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, billed as the world’s largest youth football tournament.
The international exposure will give the young players an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition while attracting scouts from academies and professional clubs around the world.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, Plateau Queens head coach Chrispine Odindo attributed his team’s success to exposure, discipline and the ability to understand and exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
Odindo said that while several teams in Nyanza possess considerable talent, Plateau Queens have gained an advantage through exposure and their ability to approach matches with a winning mentality.
“In Nyanza, every team can do well, but our players have exposure, and we always capitalise on our opponents’ weaknesses. Our players understand the winning psychology, so they will always play to win,” said Odindo.
For Awendo Football Academy coach Denis Ojwang, the regional triumph was a moment of redemption after three previous attempts to win the title ended in disappointment.
Ojwang said the team had continued knocking on the door until they finally managed to lift the coveted Nyanza regional trophy.
He also credited Musingu High School, which he described as a home to Awendo Football Academy, for playing a significant role in the club’s development.
The coach expressed gratitude to the school’s principal and other stakeholders whose support has contributed to the team’s success.
With the regional title now secured, Ojwang said his sights were firmly set on the national stage, promising to fight for the overall Chapa Dimba crown.
“I have played in three finals and lost, but we kept knocking, as the Bible says, and finally we have managed to lift the Nyanza Region Chapa Dimba trophy,” said Ojwang.
He added: “Our eyes are now on the national trophy. We want to bring it home.”
