MAFA Academy from Isiolo County and MSF Starlets from Machakos County were on Sunday crowned the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region Champions in soccer boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.
The Regional Finals that were played in Embu County at Moi Stadium saw visiting MSF Starlets dismiss host Embu County Team Royal Queens Academy 3:1 to lift the ladies’ trophy.
MSF beat AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni 1:0 in the semi-finals played on Saturday while Royal Queens Academy defeated Dakabaricha Secondary from Marsabit 2:1 to advance to the finals.
In the boys’ final, MAFA Academy whitewashed Mkinduri Lockstar from Meru County 8:0 in a one-sided match and was crowned Eastern Region Champions for the first time.
MAFA Academy produced a similar feat during the semis where they thrashed Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni 6:1, while Mkinduri Lockstar advanced to the finals after defeating Golden Football from Machakos 2:1.
Besides a trophy, winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories, pocketed Sh. 250, 000 each plus smart phones while runners-up received a trophy, Sh. 150, 000 and smart phones.
There were also other individual cash prizes of Sh. 30, 000 and a trophy for the most valuable player of the tournament, top scorer and best goalkeeper.
The winners will also have a chance of representing the Region in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nationals to be held early next year.
While addressing the media shortly after winning the match, MAFA Academy coach Ibrahim Abdisalan expressed his joy for clinching the men’s title and attributed the victory to months of training, hard work, discipline, dedication and focus.
“I am very happy with the performance of my boys. This victory is a result of the hard work, discipline, dedication and focus they have shown throughout our preparations,” said Abdisalan.
On his part, Machakos MFC Starlets Coach Abednego Ancent expressed his delight after his team defeated Embu’s Royal Queens to lift the women’s title.
Ancent described the victory as a humbling experience, saying the championship was a reward for the girls’ hard work, discipline and humility.
The coach said the team is now targeting bigger titles at the national level, adding that the journey to becoming Eastern Region champions had taught the players valuable lessons.
Safaricom Sales Manager Martin Chere, meanwhile, called on young people to make good use of their talents, revealing that some players who featured in the Eastern Region finals had already attracted the attention of major national teams, including Harambee Starlets.
“I want to encourage young people to use their talents well. Some of the players who have participated in these finals have already been identified by major national teams such as Harambee Starlets and will have an opportunity to join and play at the national level,” said Chere.
Chere also revealed that Safaricom has incorporated technology into the tournament to help identify outstanding players, noting that the jerseys worn by the players were fitted with special technology to help track and analyze their performances.
“We have used technology to help us identify the best players. The jerseys worn by the players have special technology gadgets that enable us to identify outstanding performers and connect them with bigger teams and opportunities,” he said.
Chere further revealed that teams that perform well at the national level will have an opportunity to travel to Sweden, where they will meet international players and gain valuable experience.
“The teams that perform well at the national level will have an opportunity to travel to Sweden, meet international players and learn from them. This is part of how we want to expose our young talent to bigger opportunities beyond Kenya,” he said
By Samuel Waititu
