AFA Academy, MSF Starlets crowned Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region champions

• The regional finals, played at Moi Stadium in Embu County, saw visiting MSF Starlets beat hosts Royal Queens Academy 3-1 to lift the girls’ trophy.

MAFA Academy from Isiolo County and MSF Starlets from Machakos County were crowned Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region champions on Sunday in the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.

The regional finals, played at Moi Stadium in Embu County, saw visiting MSF Starlets beat hosts Royal Queens Academy 3-1 to lift the girls’ trophy.

MSF Starlets had defeated AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni 1-0 in Saturday’s semi-final, while Royal Queens Academy secured their place in the final after edging out Dakabaricha Secondary from Marsabit 2-1.

In the boys’ final, MAFA Academy produced a dominant display, thrashing Mkinduri Lockstar from Meru County 8-0 to claim the Eastern Region title for the first time.

MAFA had also impressed in the semi-final, defeating Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni 6-1. Mkinduri Lockstar, meanwhile, booked their place in the final after beating Golden Football from Machakos 2-1.

The boys’ and girls’ winners each received a trophy, Sh250,000 and smartphones, while the runners-up took home trophies, Sh150,000 and smartphones.

Individual awards also came with a cash prize of Sh30,000 and a trophy for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, top scorer and best goalkeeper.

The regional champions will now have an opportunity to represent Eastern Region at the Safaricom Chapa Dimba national finals scheduled for early next year.

Speaking to the media after the final, MAFA Academy coach Ibrahim Abdisalan attributed his team’s success 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.

MSF Starlets coach Abednego Ancent also expressed his delight after his side defeated hosts Royal Queens Academy to win the girls’ title.

Ancent described the victory as a humbling experience, saying the championship was a reward for the players’ hard work, discipline and humility.

The coach said the team would now target 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, urged young people to make good use of their talents, saying 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 said Safaricom had incorporated technology into the tournament to help identify outstanding players, noting that the jerseys worn by participants were fitted with special technology to track and analyse 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.

He added that teams that perform well at the national level will have the 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.