Supersolico are Chapa Dimba Eastern Region champs

Mwingi’s Supersolico and St. Mary’s Ndovea from Makueni are the new Chapa Dimba Eastern Region champions after winning their respective finals on Sunday at Kitui Showgrounds.

In the boy’s contest, Solico were crowned champions after edging out spirited Isiolo Young Stars 4-3 in a post match shootouts after the tie ended 1-1 in regular time.

James Mutua gave Supersolico the lead in the 37th minute before Ibrahim Abdisalan equalized in the hour mark to send the tie to shootouts with his strike making him the tournament’s top scorer with two goals.

In his reflections after the game, Solico’s head coach Bernard Mudachi who clinched the title last year with Mwingi Junior Stars said he has mastered the tourney’s game plan and he was optimistic of winning the title through lotteries.

“After winning it last year with Mwingi Junior Stars through penalties I was sure our opponents will give us a challenge and indeed they were good but we were well prepared for shootouts. Now I shift my focus to nationals in Meru, ” he told Citizen Digital.

In girl’s finals,St. Mary’s Ndovea came from a goal down to thrash Chuka Starlets 2-1 in a hotly contested finals.Margaret Mutua scored an equalizer for Ndovea at 35th minute after Clare Chemutai scored a penalty putting the Starlets ahead in the 2nd minute.

Cecilia Mutungu then scored the winning goal for Ndovea at the 57th minute. In a post-match interview, St.Mary’s tactian John Mutie congratulated his charges for the win adding that he is ready to conquer in the nationals.

“Our opponents were strong but after making some changes at halftime our players showed character. We will now start our preparations for nationals and our target is to clinch the title, ” he averred.

St Mary’s Ndovea and Supersolico received a cash reward of Ksh 200,000 each and will now represent Eastern region in the national finals scheduled for June at Kinoru Stadium.

The two champions now join Western region’s Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints as well as Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza in the quest for national champions’ title.

At the grand finale, the winning boys’ and girls’ teams will each walk away with Ksh1 million shillings in prize money. An All-star team will also be selected from the 8 regional finals to attend a training camp in Spain during which they will play against local youth sides.

The competition now moves to Eldoret for the Rift regional finals set for 23rd and 24th of March.

AWARDS

1. MVPs

Ibrahim Abdisalan – Young Stars (Boys)

Nuru Hensley – St Mary’s Ndovea (Girls)

2. Golden Boot/Top Scorer

Boys-Ibrahim Abdisalan – Young Stars (2 goals)

Girls- Daisy Chirchir – St Mary’s Ndovea (2goals)

3.Best Keeper/ Golden Glove

Boys-Robert Ngusya – Supersolico

Girls-Nancy Jepkemboi – Chuka Starlets