MAFA Academy from Isiolo County and MCF Starlets of Machakos County emerged as the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Five Eastern Region champions after impressive victories in the regional finals at Moi Stadium, Embu, on Sunday.
MAFA Academy delivered the biggest statement of the finals, overwhelming Meru-based Mikinduri Rick Star FC 8-0 to claim the boys’ title for the first time. Their emphatic victory capped a dominant weekend after they had earlier swept aside Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni 6-1 in the semi-finals.
Mikinduri Rick Star FC reached the final after edging Golden Football from Machakos 2-1 in their semi-final.
In the girls’ final, MCF Starlets secured the regional crown with a 3-1 victory over host side Manyatta Royal Queens Academy. The Machakos outfit had booked its place in the final after beating AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni 1-0, while Royal Queens advanced with a 2-1 win over Dakabaricha Secondary of Marsabit.
The two regional champions pocketed Ksh.250,000 each and secured qualification to the national finals, while the runners-up received Ksh.150,000.
MAFA Academy coach Ibrahim Abdisalan credited the triumph to the discipline and commitment shown by his players during their preparations.
“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.
MCF Starlets coach Abednego Ancent described the girls’ success as a rewarding moment after their journey through the regional competition, with the team now setting its sights on the national stage.
The finals also provided a platform to recognise individual excellence. MAFA Academy’s Abdullahi Muhammed and MCF Starlets’ Redemptah Mutanu were named the best goalkeepers, while Zakar Mohamed and Justa Mwende finished as the leading scorers.
Hussein Edin of MAFA Academy and Cecilia Wanjiku of MCF Starlets were named the respective boys’ and girls’ Most Valuable Players. Both players received KSh30,000 and fully funded tertiary education scholarships through Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.
Safaricom Sales Manager Martin Chere said the tournament was increasingly becoming an important pathway for identifying and developing young talent.
“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 added that technology was being used to improve talent identification, with specialised technology incorporated into players’ jerseys to help track and analyse performances.
The company also plans to give the best-performing teams at the national level an opportunity to travel to Sweden, where they will interact with international players and gain exposure beyond the Kenyan game.
“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.
