Chapa Dimba: Chakol Queens retain Busia crown as Musokoto boys advance to regional finals
Chapa Dimba: Chakol Queens defended their Busia County title with a 1-0 victory over Falcon Queens, while Musokoto Secondary School beat Malaba Homeboys 2-0 to progress to the regional stage.
Chakol Queens retain Busia County title
Chakol Queens secured back-to-back Busia County championships after a narrow win over Falcon Queens at Malaba Primary School. The single-goal victory was enough to see the defending champions lift the county trophy for a second consecutive season.
Coach Abraham Muleme credited preparation and game management for the result, noting the challenge of adapting to an opponent who preferred aerial play. He said his side focused on possession and selective attacking to create the chances that ultimately decided the final.
The match was tightly contested, with Chakol’s control on the ground gradually wearing down Falcon’s aerial approach. The win reinforces Chakol’s status as the county’s benchmark at the girls’ grassroots level heading into regional competition.
Musokoto Secondary stun Malaba Homeboys in boys’ final
In the boys’ final at the same venue, visitors Musokoto Secondary School delivered an early blow when John Onyango scored in the fourth minute to put his side ahead. The early goal unsettled the home crowd and forced Malaba Homeboys to chase the game for the remainder of the 90 minutes.
Malaba pushed forward in search of an equaliser but found Musokoto’s organisation difficult to break down, particularly after the interval. A late strike from Sanchez Omondi sealed a 2-0 win and ensured Musokoto would represent the county at the regional finals.
Musokoto’s performance combined clinical finishing with disciplined defending, a balance that served them well in a passionate local derby. The victory will give the Nambale-based side confidence as they prepare for tougher opposition in the next phase of the Chapa Dimba competition.
Bungoma deciders go to spot-kicks as Elgon Queens and Terem advance
In neighbouring Bungoma County, the girls’ final between Elgon Queens and St. Augustine Girls Lukhuna finished 1-1 after regulation time and was eventually decided by penalties. Elgon Queens held their nerve to emerge 5-4 from the shootout and claim the county crown.
The boys’ contest in Bungoma produced a similarly dramatic finish, with Terem FC and Misikhu Friends School locked at 0-0 after regular time. Terem converted all their penalties to win 5-3 in the shootout and secure their place at the regional finals.
Terem head coach Evans Kimungui highlighted his team’s composure under pressure during the spot-kicks and set clear goals for the next stage. He said the squad will intensify preparations with an eye on advancing further and showcasing players who might make the All-Star Team for international opportunities.
Vihiga shocks and new entrants make an impression
Vihiga County produced several surprising results as last year’s regional champions and established sides fell short of progression. Brenda Girls, the previous regional winners, were eliminated in the playoff round at Bungoma High School Grounds and will not advance this season.
In Vihiga, the county final saw Ebwali Boys narrowly lose 1-0 to Coach Francis Muhambe’s Vihiga Cranes in a tightly fought match that decided the boys’ title. That result handed the Cranes the county trophy and a ticket to the regionals.
On the girls’ side, newcomers Blue Commandos announced themselves with a 2-0 win over Maroon Queens, both goals coming from Victoria Nekesa. The victory marked a significant achievement for the new entrants and underlined the depth and unpredictability in this year’s Chapa Dimba qualifiers.
Prizes, scholarships and the road to the regional finals
Winners across the boys’ and girls’ categories received KES 75,000 apiece, with runners-up awarded KES 30,000 as consolation for their county final appearances. Individual honours—the Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player in each category—carried prize awards of KES 10,000.
Beyond cash prizes, the competition’s MVPs will benefit from fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme. That incentive continues to be a major draw for grassroots players and underscores the tournament’s focus on development and education.
The three county winners will be joined by the Kakamega County champions, whose finals were scheduled for the coming weekend on August 8-9 at Bukhungu Stadium. Those matches will complete the line-up for the next phase of the regional round in this year’s Chapa Dimba cycle.
Players and coaches look ahead to tougher tests at regional level
Musokoto captain Owen Kiprop described the competition as a long-held ambition for many players, saying the team is proud to progress and determined not to disappoint supporters at the regional stage. That sentiment was echoed by several coaches who emphasised planning and increased intensity in training ahead of tougher opponents.
Coaching staffs across counties said they would analyse the upcoming regional opponents and tailor sessions to shore up weaknesses exposed during county play. Teams that mastered possession and showed discipline under pressure were cited as best-placed to make deeper runs in the Chapa Dimba tournament.
As the qualifiers conclude, several standout performers have already attracted attention from scouts and local coaches looking for talent to nurture. The mix of cash awards, scholarships and the prospect of national exposure continues to raise the stakes for grassroots sides across the region.
Preparations will now ramp up as clubs balance player welfare, tactical refinement and logistical planning for travel to regional fixtures. Those who adapt quickly and maintain consistency will be the favourites to carry their counties into the later stages of the Chapa Dimba competition.
