Hot favorites Obunga FC from Nyanza stormed into the Safaricom Chapa Dimba semi finals after posting an emphatic 3-1 win over their opponents LYSA FC from the Central region in their quarter final match-up at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium (Mamboleo) in Kisumu yesterday.
Across the city at the Moi Stadium, favorites Ebwali Boys of Western region edged out Chuka University 2-1 to book their semi final slot as the national finals kicked off in Kisumu.
The two favorites Obunga and Ebwali made their intentions to the national title clear as they stormed the semi finals set to be played tomorrow Saturday.
Austine Odongo and Derick Oketch grabbed Ebwali’s two goals against Chuka University’s Scorpions while Eric Rooney scored Chuka University’s lone goal. Rodgers Omondi put Obunga FC ahead in the sixth minute of the first half following a rebound from Brian Omondi before LYSA equalized through Lokalia John. Bill Clinton restored Obunga’s lead in the 26th minute while Sydney Ogutu scored the third goal in the second half of the match.
In the other boys’ quarter finals, Coast region’s Bandari youth outclassed Wajir All Stars 6-1 Rift Valley’s PASC Langa defeated Nairobi’s Dandora Young Kings 5-1.
Obunga FC will face off with Bandari Youth in the first semi final as Ebwali play PASC Langa in the second match up tomorrow.
The girls’ semi finals are set to be played today at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium. Western region’s Brenda Girls are set to play Plateau Queens of Nyanza while Central region’s Barcelona Ladies SC will be up against Wiyeta Girls from Rift Valley.
En-route to the semi finals, Western region’s Brenda Girls secured a 4-2 victory over Syomunyu Secondary School from Eastern region while Plateau Queens from the Nyanza region defeated Coastal region Changamwe Ladies in a 2-0 scoreline.
The last quarter final battle between Barcelona Ladies from the Central region and North Eastern’s Wajir Queens was a goals galore as Barcelona Ladies posted a balloon 18-0 victory over the Wajir side. Wiyeta Girls from Rift Valley defeated Dagoretti Mixed by a solitary goal in a closely contested match.
The winning teams in the national finals will walk away with Sh1 million in cash, with the runners-up and second runners-up taking home Sh500,000 and Sh250,000 respectively (both boys’ and girls’ teams).
In addition to the prize money, players in the winning teams, runners-up and second runners-up, will also get Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphone in Kenya.
The outstanding players, including the best goalkeeper, top scorer and Most Valuable Player (boys and girls), will each receive Sh50,000.
In addition, this year’s tournament has also offered 150 TVET scholarships to Most Valuable Players (MVPs), empowering them with education and skills for life beyond football.
The national finals follow successful grassroots games (ward level, county finals, inter-county play-offs, and regional finals) conducted across the eight regions of the country.
They are Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, North Eastern, Nairobi, and Central regions, where 3,353 teams and over 60,300 players were featured in the tournament.