Football fans in Embu are set for another thrilling day of action as the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional finals bring together some of the region’s best young talent at Moi Stadium today.
The boys’ final will see Isiolo’s MAFA Academy take on Meru’s Mikinduri Rock-Star FC, while hosts Royal Queens Academy face Machakos’ MCF Starlets in the girls’ final.
The winners in both categories will pocket Sh250,000 and secure a place at the national finals, while runners-up will receive Sh150,000.
MAFA Academy stormed into the boys’ final after a commanding 6-1 victory over Makueni’s Mbuthani Secondary School in their semi-final.
Zakir Mohammed scored a hat-trick, Daud Abdullahi added a brace and Abdijabar Hashim completed the rout, with Dennis Mwamu scoring Mbuthani’s consolation goal.
MAFA coach Ibrahim Abdisalan said his team was ready for the final after successfully sticking to its game plan.
“They stuck to our game plan, which was to possess the ball and be tactical. This is our first time playing Chapa Dimba, and reaching this stage means a lot to us and the people of Isiolo,” Abdisalan said.
The coach, who is himself a product of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Two, said the team was determined to take the trophy to Isiolo.
Their opponents Mikinduri Rock-Star secured their place in the final after staging a dramatic comeback against Machakos’ Golden Football Academy.
Golden took the lead through Bramuel Owuor in the 21st minute and went into the break ahead, but Mikinduri turned the match around in the second half.
Alex Musa equalised in the 70th minute before Vincent Muchui scored the winner in the 80th minute to complete a 2-1 comeback.
In the girls’ competition, MCF Starlets edged Makueni’s AIC Sultan Queens 1-0 through Rose Mwende’s decisive goal to set up a final against hosts Royal Queens Academy.
Royal Queens booked their place after beating Marsabit’s Dakabaricha Secondary School 3-1, with Justa Mwende and Miriam Nduku scoring for the hosts, while Emmaculate Moraa got Dakabaricha’s goal.
MCF Starlets coach Abednego Matata said his players would need to remain focused against the home side.
“It wasn’t easy as we missed many chances. Our focus now shifts to tomorrow’s game. I know it won’t be easy as we face the hosts, but we are determined to win and take this trophy to Machakos,” Matata said.
The regional finals will also provide an opportunity for individual players to win recognition and cash rewards.
The Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in both categories will each receive Sh30,000, while the Most Valuable Player will also receive Sh30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
The finals will be preceded by a curtain-raiser pitting Safaricom staff against Embu-based media, with Sh40,000 at stake for the winning team.
Another exhibition showdown will feature 3K FC against Kenya Police FC, adding to a day expected to combine competitive football and entertainment for fans at Moi Stadium.
