Amidst roaring cheers from a fervent crowd at the Dandora Stadium, the Young Kings from Dandora and Dagoretti Mixed Girls emerged as the champions of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nairobi region 4th edition.
In a thrilling final showdown, the Young Kings rallied from behind to claim a resounding 6-1 victory over Dagoretti Lions, while Dagoretti Mixed Girls secured a dominant 6-0 win against Misericordiae Queens from Makadara.
The match at the newly-commissioned 5,000-seater Dandora Stadium showcased the resilience and skill of the local talents.
Despite an early setback with Dagoretti Lions taking the lead through Dhuor Kang's goal in the 7th minute, the Young Kings swiftly turned the tide.
A penalty converted by Edwin Toto in the 16th minute levelled the score, followed by Joseph Wekesa's splendid freekick, putting the Young Kings in the lead.
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Washington Muga capitalized on defensive lapses from the Lions, netting two more goals before halftime.
Muga continued his scoring spree in the second half, sealing the victory for the Young Kings.
Reflecting on the triumph, Kaswara Okwangla, head coach of Dandora Young Kings, expressed gratitude to Safaricom for providing a platform for young players to showcase their talents. "We are thrilled to emerge as the new champions of the Nairobi region," Okwangla remarked.
"It was undoubtedly a tense and challenging game, but I am pleased that we emerged winners."
He further highlighted the team's determination to intensify training in preparation for the national finals.
In the girls' final, Dagoretti Mixed Girls demonstrated their dominance with a commanding 6-0 victory.
Cisse Nambuye opened the scoring within the first minute, setting the tone for a convincing win.
Both winning teams, Dandora Young Kings and Dagoretti Mixed Girls, secured cash prizes of Sh250,000 each and tickets to represent the Nairobi region in the national finals scheduled for Kisumu County.
The runners-up, Dagoretti Lions and Misericordiae Queens, received Sh150,000 each.
Individual achievements were also recognized, with the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Best Goalkeeper, and Top Scorers from both boys' and girls' categories awarded Sh30,000 each.
Additionally, players from the winning and runner-up teams received Neon Ultra and Neon Smarter Phones respectively.
The Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, which attracted 311 teams from all seventeen sub-counties, aims to nurture local talent and provide a platform for scouts and coaches to discover new prospects.
With the Nairobi region concluded, attention now turns to Central Kenya for the next phase of the tournament.
Ultimately, Safaricom Chapa Dimba not only celebrates football excellence but also fosters the growth of grassroots football and the development of young athletes across Kenya.