Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive emerged as the Western Region champions of the fifth edition of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament after securing hard-fought victories at Kanduyi Stadium in Bungoma County.

Vihiga Cranes claimed the boys’ title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Busia’s Musokoto Secondary School, in a final that remained evenly balanced until the second half. The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute when Tonny Omondi rose highest to head home Luke Ramsey’s corner, giving the Vihiga side the breakthrough it needed.

The result capped an impressive campaign for Vihiga Cranes and gave coach Francis Muhambe another regional title after his success with Ebwali Boys last season.

“First, I want to thank God and Safaricom for giving young players this platform. We are very happy to win the Western Region title,” Muhambe said. “It was a difficult final because Musokoto played very well, but we took advantage of the opportunity that came our way. I was fortunate to win this title last season with Ebwali Boys, and doing it again with Vihiga Cranes is something special.”

Muhambe, however, insisted that the regional triumph is only part of the journey.

“We now have to turn our attention to the national finals. Winning here is important, but our ambition is to go all the way,” he added.

The girls’ final provided an equally tense contest as Lugari Progressive, representing Bishop Njenga High School, defeated Chakol Girls 5-4 on penalties after neither side could find the net during regulation time.

The shootout eventually settled the contest and sparked celebrations for Lugari Progressive, who walked away with the regional crown and a place at the national finals.

Coach Fred Serenge praised his players for maintaining their composure under pressure.

“It was not an easy match, but the girls showed tremendous character. They stayed focused, worked hard and fought until the very end,” Serenge said. “After missing the opportunity to participate in the national school games in Tanzania, I decided to put all our energy into Chapa Dimba. I am delighted that the decision has paid off.”

Serenge also highlighted the significance of the rewards attached to the tournament.

“The girls are excited to return home with KSh 250,000, smartphones and airtime. Safaricom has created a competition that gives young players both exposure and meaningful rewards. That is why this tournament is so important to us,” he said.

Both regional champions received KSh 250,000, while runners-up Musokoto Secondary and Chakol Girls earned KSh 150,000 each. The teams also received smartphones and airtime.

Individual performers were rewarded as well. Musokoto’s Elvis Ongiro was named the boys’ Most Valuable Player, while Chakol Girls’ Hanifa Mashasha claimed the girls’ MVP award. The Golden Ball winners also earn a fully funded tertiary education scholarship through Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.

Musokoto’s Nabo Ochieng and Lugari Progressive’s Shamsy Pachanga were named the best goalkeepers in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.

The scoring charts were tightly contested, with Tonny Omondi and Mellon Omondi of Vihiga Cranes sharing the boys’ top-scorer honour alongside Musokoto’s Tom Okitwi, Frankline Paul and Calvin Masai. In the girls’ competition, Mashasha shared the award with Lugari Progressive quartet Lydia Laura, Zipporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir.

With Western Region now settled, attention shifts to Central Region, where the next round of regional finals will be staged at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County on August 29 and 30.

For Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive, the next challenge is clear: carry their regional success onto the national stage and turn promising campaigns into national glory.