Bomu Stadium to host Chapa Dimba Coast Region finals

The Bomu Stadium in Mombasa will this weekend play host to Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Coast regional finals.

Contrary to the other regional finals so far held, the Coast finals will be played in the evening under floodlights.

The semifinals are set for Saturday beginning 3.00pm while the finals will go down on Sunday from 6.00pm.

Michael Karanja, the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Coast Region Coordinator said that the decision to have the matches played in the evening is as a result of the harsh climate.

“Players’ welfare is a key component of Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament. The high temperatures in Mombasa during the day could greatly affect their performance and that’s why we felt the need to have the games played in the evening. We appreciate Safaricom for taking this into account and catering for the extra expenses. The teams are ready and we expect very competitive and entertaining football over the weekend,” said.

Mombasa teams Shimanzi Youth and Kaloleni United will square it out in the first boys’ semifinal, while Kilifi’s Matsangaoni boys will take on Maweni United from Malindi in the second semi. In the girls’ category, Changamwe Ladies from Mombasa will face Kwale Starlets as Matsangaoni Ladies from Kilifi play Malindi’s Solwogidi.

The winners will receive a cash reward of Sh. 200,000 each and an opportunity to represent Coast in the national finals set for Meru in June. The runners-up will also pocket Sh100,000 each and there will also be other individual prizes for the best players.

Already, Kajiado’s Al Ahly and Kitale Queens from Rift Valley, Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints from Western, Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza as well as Super Solico and St Mary’s Ndovea from Eastern have booked their tickets for the national finals.

This year, an all-star team will be selected to attend a training camp in Spain during which they will play against local youth sides. The competition aims at scouting for youth talent, developing grassroots football, and ultimately propels gifted players to the national team.