Isiolo Starlets and Tumaini School from Makueni are the new Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Eastern Region champions. In the girls’ final, Isiolo saw off Chuka University while Tumaini beat Black Panthers from Meru Central in the boys final held at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Chuka’s, Susan Wanjeri scored in the third minute to put the students ahead but Rebeka Nkirote equalised in the thirty three minute. Hilda Wanjiku and Nasibo Ibrahim then added two goals to extend the lead for Isiolo Starlets in the second half in the fifty third and fifty seventh minute with Wanjeri scoring her second goal of the match for Chuka in the fifty seventh minute. Isiolo held on to win by three goals to two.
“We came to the finals prepared to win. We observed how our opponents played yesterday and capitalized on their weaknesses which earned us victory,” said Hussein Wako, coach Isiolo Starlets.
“I am happy we have won because it was a tough match. It is an honour representing the Eastern region at the nationals and we promise to do our best,” said Kula Dida, Isiolo Starlets’ captain.
Tumaini School emerged victorious in the boys’ finals after beating Black Panthers 4-1.
Yasin Mohamed scored a hat trick in the fourth, nineteenth and forty seventh minutes, before Enow Abdumalik scored Black Panthers consolation goal in the eighty third minute. Kapirante Moris sealed Tumaini’s victory in the eighty eighth minute.
Isiolo Starlets and Tumaini School received a cash reward of Kshs. 200,000 each and an opportunity to represent Eastern Region at the national finals set for June 2020 at Bomu Stadium, Mombasa County.
They have now joined North Eastern’s Berlin FC from Garissa, Coast region’s Yanga FC from Malindi, Kwale Ladies, Falling Waters from Laikipia and Ulinzi youth from Nanyuki in the national finals where Kshs. 1,000,000 is up for grabs.
The tournament now moves to Jamhuri high school, Nairobi for the Nairobi regional finals on the 22nd– 23rd as the race to the national finals intensifies
32 boys and girls will this season be selected after the regional finals to form an all-star team that will attend a ten day training camp in Spain during which they will play friendly matches against top Spanish La Liga football academies.
