The Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season 5 campaign in Nyanza has produced its county champions in both the boys’ and girls’ categories, setting the stage for an exciting regional showdown.

County finals were held over the weekend, with Kisumu’s boys’ title going to Obunga FC, while Plateau Queens of Nyakach Girls claimed the girls’ crown. Siaya produced Indomitable Soldiers and Nyamira Starlets, while Awendo Academy and Oyugi Ogango Girls emerged victorious in Migori. Nyaguku FC and Masosa Starlets won in Nyamira, Sameta High School and Otendo Comprehensive Starlets took the Kisii titles, while Kendu Muslim and Hedso Queens emerged champions in Homa Bay.

Attention now turns to the Nyanza Regional Finals, which have been moved from Homa Bay’s Raila Odinga Stadium to Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu. The competition will be played this weekend, September 12 and 13, with matches scheduled to start from 8am.

In the boys’ category, Pool A features Sameta High School of Kisii, Wagai of Siaya and Awendo Academy of Migori. Pool B brings together Nyaguku FC of Nyamira, defending regional champions Obunga FC of Kisumu and Kendu Muslim of Homa Bay.

The girls’ competition sees Plateau Queens, representing Kisumu, drawn in Pool A alongside Nyamira Girls of Siaya and Otendo Junior School of Kisii. Pool B consists of Hedso Queens of Homa Bay, Masosa Starlets of Nyamira and Oyugi Ogango Girls of Migori.

Obunga FC will be among the teams to watch, having won the Nyanza regional title in 2023 before going on to claim the national Chapa Dimba championship in 2024. The Kisumu side will be aiming to replicate that impressive run and retain their regional crown.

Plateau Queens will equally command attention in the girls’ competition. The Nyakach side are the defending Nyanza Chapa Dimba champions and have recently gained valuable experience on the national and international stage. They represented Kenya at the FEASSSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, where they exited at the group stage, before finishing runners-up at the national KSSSA Games after losing to Rift Region side Joga.

There will be plenty at stake beyond regional bragging rights. The regional champions will pocket Ksh. 250,000 and earn a direct ticket to the National Finals, while the runners-up will receive Ksh. 150,000, silver medals and official kits.

Individual performers will also have an opportunity to walk away with significant rewards. The Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper will each receive Ksh. 30,000, with the MVP also earning a fully funded tertiary education scholarship, while the top scorer and best goalkeeper will receive the Golden Boot and Golden Glove trophies respectively.

With the county champions now assembled, all eyes turn to Mamboleo Stadium this weekend as Nyanza’s finest battle for regional honours, valuable rewards and a place at the national finals of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season 5.