The highly anticipated Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom national finals kick off this Thursday in Kisumu County, Kenya, with 16 teams vying for national supremacy, bragging rights, and a life-changing Sh1 million cash prize.
Action-Packed Opening Day
The battle for the crown begins on April 11th at two stadiums: Jomo Kenyatta Stadium (Mamboleo) and Moi Stadium.
Eight boys' and eight girls' teams will face off in thrilling quarter-final matches. Western Region champions Brenda Girls will be the first to take the field at Mamboleo, facing off against Eastern Region's Syomunyu Secondary.
The home crowd will roar for Nyanza champions Obunga FC as they take on Central Region's Lysa FC, though Obunga will miss their star striker Duncan Omala, currently honing his skills in Mali.
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Fans can also look forward to a rematch between Coast Region's Changamwe Ladies and the three-time national champions, Nyakach Girls (formerly Plateau Queens) from Nyanza.
The day's final match at Mamboleo will see Rift Valley's PASC Langa FC battle it out with Nairobi's Young Kings.
Meanwhile, Moi Stadium will witness a clash between Coast Region's Bandari Youth and Wajir All-Stars from the North Eastern Region.
All eyes will be on the much-anticipated clash between Nairobi's Dagoretti Mixed Girls and Rift Valley's Wiyeta Girls.
Western Region's Ebwali FC, led by Coach Francis Muhambe, will face Eastern Region's Chuka University Scorpions.
The final match at Moi Stadium will feature three-time Central Region champions Barcelona Ladies SC against North Eastern's Wajir Queens.
Coaches and Players Excited for the Challenge
Coach Muhambe of Ebwali Boys expressed his gratitude to Safaricom for providing this platform for young talent.
He highlighted their regional dominance and commitment to bringing the national trophy home, despite a slight injury setback for their goalkeeper.
The Road to Glory
After the quarter-finals, the semi-finals will be held at Mamboleo Stadium on Friday and Saturday, followed by the grand finale on Sunday.
The winning teams will take home a life-altering Sh1 million cash prize, with runners-up and second runners-up receiving Sh500,000 and Sh250,000 respectively.
Every player from the top three teams will also receive a Neon Smartphone, Kenya's first locally assembled 4G phone.
The top performers, including the Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, and Most Valuable Player (boys and girls), will each be awarded Sh50,000.
Beyond the Game: Empowering Young Talent
This year's tournament goes beyond awarding footballing excellence. A remarkable initiative offers 150 TVET scholarships to Most Valuable Players (MVPs), equipping them with valuable education and skills for a bright future beyond the pitch.
These national finals culminate a successful grassroots tournament journey, starting at the ward level and progressing through county finals, intercounty playoffs, and regional finals across eight regions – Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, North Eastern, Nairobi, and Central.
A staggering 3,353 teams and over 60,300 players participated in this year's edition, showcasing the immense talent pool Kenyan football holds.
Kisumu is primed for an electrifying week of football, with young players striving for national glory and a chance to shape their futures.
The Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of Kenyan talent, dedication, and the transformative power of sport.