By Jane Meza
Mombasa County, Kenya: This weekend, Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa County will play host to an exhilarating showdown as eight teams gear up for the Safaricom ChapanDimba regional title clash. The stakes are high, with KES. 250,000 and a coveted slot in the national finals up for grabs.
The participating teams, four boys and four girls teams represent the football prowess of the Coast region. The boys’ category features Bahati FC from Taita Taveta, Bandari Youth from Mombasa, Gunners from Tana River, and King Royal from Lamu. The girls’ category showcases Changamwe Ladies from Mombasa, Ukunda Queens from Kwale, Bull Queens from Kilifi, and Wenje Sec from Tana River.
The action-packed Saturday kicks off with Kilifi’s Bulls Starlets facing off against Wenje Secondary School in the first semi-final.
Tana River’s Gunners FC and Lamu’s King Royal, both county champions, will clash in the second semi-final. The home team, Changamwe Ladies, will take on Ukunda Starlets from Kwale in the third match, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter between Bandari Youth and Tana River’s Gunners.
Alex Shikenga, Head Coach of Bandari Youth FC, expressed confidence in his team’s preparedness, stating that it has not been easy for him and his team however he holds high hopes of winning the tournament.
“Our goal is to win all our weekend matches and secure the regional title we want to thank God and Safaricom for granting us the opportunity to represent the Coast region at the national level.” Said Shikenga.
The Chapa Dimba journey began with grassroots games, filtering through sub-county, county, and inter-county playoffs, attracting a total of 277 teams from across the Coast Region.
The tournament is not only a showcase of football talent but also an opportunity for players and coaches to enhance their skills.
Players and coach clinics, featuring the use of GPS Sports Vests introduced by Safaricom for player scouting, will precede the weekend matches.
The stakes are not only about victory, winners of each category will pocket KES. 250,000 and secure a place in the national finals. Runners-up will not leave empty-handed and will be taking home KES. 150,000 each. Individual accolades, including Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, and Most Valuable Player, carry cash prizes of KES. 30,000.
Safaricom Chapa Dimba serves as a platform for scouts and coaches to unearth new talent and build feeder systems for Kenyan football leagues.
The tournament targets footballers aged between 16 and 20 years old, aligns with Safaricom’s broader goal of training 250 coaches and fostering the growth of football across the country.
