Safaricom Chapa Dimba’s launch in Kisumu got off to an exciting start with a thrilling exhibition clash between Nyakach Plateau Queens and Butere Girls at a packed Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo.

The girls’ match curtain-raised a busy day of football activities lined up ahead of the official evening launch later in the afternoon, with fans turning up in large numbers to witness the return of one of Kenya’s biggest grassroots football tournaments.

Butere Girls made a dream start to the contest after capitalizing on an early goalkeeping mistake in the second minute. Diana Achol, popularly known as Dayo, punished the error to hand the Western Region side an early 1-0 lead and briefly silence the home crowd.

However, Plateau Queens responded almost immediately, restoring parity before halftime as the hosts fought back to send the game into the break tied at 1-1.

Backed by the energetic Kisumu crowd, Nyakach Plateau Queens returned stronger in the second half and completed the comeback with the winning goal to secure a 2-1 victory and avoid disappointment on home soil.

Speaking after the match, the Butere Girls coach pointed to missed opportunities and costly goalkeeping errors as the difference between the two sides, while also applauding Safaricom for continuing to invest in grassroots football.

“It’s a good tournament and well organized. It was a good friendly to gauge our level of fitness since it’s the start of the season. We were trying different formations ahead of the school games,” said the coach.

“We lost because of goalkeeping errors and the opponents capitalized on them. We request for more opportunities like these for our school girls.”

Plateau Queens coach Chrispine Odindo praised his players for their response after going behind early in the game.

“We prepared well for the tournament. Congratulations to my girls. We started on the wrong foot by going 1-0 down, but after speaking to the girls, they listened to instructions and we staged the comeback,” said Odindo.

Despite the victory, the tactician admitted his side still has areas that require improvement as they continue preparations for upcoming competitions.

“We still have a lot to work on. We are still not at the level we want the girls to be.”