By GPC Sports Desk
Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens were crowned Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza regional champions after contrasting victories in the boys’ and girls’ finals in Kisumu on Sunday.
Awendo, from Migori, claimed their maiden regional title with a convincing 4-0 victory over Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo.
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Kevin Mukaramoja was the star of the final, scoring a hat-trick to inspire Awendo to the emphatic victory.
Mukaramoja opened the scoring with a spectacular free-kick in the 23rd minute before doubling the advantage five minutes later as Awendo went into the break 2-0 ahead.
Rayce Ochieng extended the lead in the 77th minute before Mukaramoja completed his hat-trick a minute before the final whistle.
Awendo coach Dennis Otondi said the victory was particularly significant after the team lost to Obunga FC in last season’s final.
“I want to thank God for bringing us this far. To our fans who believed in us and walked this journey with us, we are so grateful,” Otondi said.
“Last season, we lost to Obunga in the final, but today we are happy to take this regional trophy to Migori for the first time. The task is not yet over, as our aim is to win the national trophy.”
Awendo had reached the final after edging Kendu Muslim 1-0 in the semi-final, while Indomitable Soldiers stunned regional and national defending champions Obunga FC by a similar margin.
Plateau Queens retain title
In the girls’ final, Plateau Queens of Kisumu underlined their dominance by defeating Homa Bay’s Hedso Queens 4-0 to retain the regional title for a third consecutive year.
The victory also extended Plateau Queens’ run as national defending champions.
Coach Chrispine Odindo credited his players for their determination after another successful regional campaign.
“We are happy to defend our title for the third time. It has not been easy, but we have managed,” Odindo said.
“I also want to thank my girls for their dedication and the effort they have put in to ensure that we retain this title. Our opponents today were a good team, but we stuck to our game plan.”
Regional champions
Plateau Queens had stormed into the final with an 8-0 demolition of Nyamira’s Masosa Starlets, while Hedso Queens beat Kisii’s Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 4-0.
Both regional champions received KSh250,000 and qualified for the National Finals scheduled for early next year, while runners-up Indomitable Soldiers and Hedso Queens took home KSh150,000 each.
Mukaramoja, Adhiambo among individual winners
Mukaramoja was also named the boys’ top scorer, while Emily Adhiambo of Plateau Queens claimed the girls’ top-scorer award.
The Best Goalkeeper awards went to Chris Georgian of Awendo and Valarie Achieng of Plateau Queens.
Alex Ouma of Indomitable Soldiers and Imelda Akinyi of Plateau Queens were named the boys’ and girls’ Most Valuable Players respectively.
Each individual award winner received KSh30,000, while the two MVPs also earned fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Citizens of the Future Programme.
Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali said the tournament had provided an opportunity for young players to showcase their abilities.
“We have witnessed amazing talent here in Kisumu, and I would say the future of Kenyan football is bright,” Ali said.
“We had scouts on the ground, and I believe they have identified some great talent.”
The regional finals concluded with an exhibition match between Equator Boys of Maseno School and City Boys of Kisumu Boys High School, with City Boys winning 2-1.
The competition now moves to the Eastern Region, where the finals will be held in Embu. Chapa Dimba is open to footballers aged 14 to 17.
