Tumaini, Black Panthers face off in Chapa Dimba finals

Black Panthers FC of Meru, Isiolo Queens, Tumaini from Makueni and Chuka University will be in contention for this year’s Eastern region Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom boy’s and girl’s titles after the four teams eased to the finals following their  respective wins in their semifinal ties on Saturday.

In the boy’s semi-finals, Black Panther edged out St. Daniel’s of Chuka 7-6 in post-match shootouts after the clash dubbed ‘Meru derby’ ended 3-3 in regulation time at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Newcomers Tumaini marched on to the finals after whitewashing hapless Biashara FC 7-1 in the other last four clash to set up a mouthwatering showdown against Black Panther on Sunday.

In a post-match interview, Tumaini captain Petros Muthui vowed they will replicate their fine form in the finals but was quick to warn his teammates against sleeping in their laurels.

“We had a comfortable win against our opponents but that does not mean we relax because the final will be very tough. The team is upbeat and we are assured of winning this title if we show the same character tomorrow,” he told Citizen Digital.

In the girl’s contest, Chuka University team came from behind to stun inaugural edition winners Ngakaa Talent Centre of Makueni 2-1 in an entertaining fixture.

The Makueni champions took an early lead but Chuka Univeristy responded in the second half with two quick goals to send the Meru queens to the finals where they will take on Isiolo Queens who saw off Mabuu of Moyale 8-0 to sail through.

New champions will be crowned at this year’s third edition after the 2019 champions Super Solico from Kitui and St. Mary’s Ndovea of Makueni were both eliminated at the grassroots, paving way for new winners to be crowned at this year’s third edition.

The two-day event was preceded by life skills and mentorship clinics for the players conducted on Friday by the organisers and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials drawn from the region.

The regional winners will receive a cash reward of Sh. 200,000 each and a chance to represent the region in the tournament’s national finals set for June. The runners- up will also pocket Sh. 100,000 each plus multiple prizes.

The winner will join North Eastern’s Berlin FC from Garissa and Coast region’s Yanga FC from Malindi and Kwale Ladies and Central’s Falling Waters FC and Ulinzi Youth have  already booked their spots for the national finals where Sh. 1million grand prize is up for grabs

An all-star team comprising of 32 boys and girls will at the end of the regional finals be selected to attend a 10-day training camp in Spain where they will play top Spanish La Liga Football Academies.

This season, two coaching and scouting clinics conducted by certified La Liga coaches are featuring in the tournament. The first one was held in Mombasa and the next clinic is set for February 22 and 23 in Nairobi.