Mombasa’s teams, Shimanzi Youth and Changamwe Ladies are the winners of Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Coast region finals.
The crowd’s favourites Shimanzi Youth triumphed after putting up a skillful match against Maweni United from Malindi scoring two goals to one within the regulation time.
The Most Valuable Player in the tournament, Cedrick Asmani netted the first goal for Shimanzi Youth giving the home team an early lead at 35th minute. Safari Juma scored the second goal at 45th minute to seal the win for Shimanzi Youth. Okwaro Dennis scored the consolation goal for Maweni United at 74th minute.
“We are very happy to have won the title this round. We lost it last season, but today is our happy day. The boys have been training so hard focusing on the top spot. We are not stopping at this because our eyes are set in the national finals. We will continue our training as we prepare for the national finals,” said Christine Nanjala, Coach Shimanzi Youth.
Changamwe Ladies clinched the top spot in the girls’ category after beating Malindi’s Solwogidi one goals to nil, thanks to Issa Hadwa last minutes’ header.
“It was a challenge to play on the tuft under floodlights because it was our first time ever to play under such conditions. Our opponents were tough as well but we managed to get a goal. Our win today is a great motivation to the team and we are determined to excel in the national finals,” said Joyce Hamisi, Top Scorer, Changamwe Ladies.
The winners each received a cash reward of KES 200,000 and have booked spots in the National finals set for June this year. 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 as well.
The runners-up will also pocket Sh 100,000 each and there will also be other individual prizes for the best players.
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 now moves to Thika for the Central regional finals set for 13th and 14th of April.
