Obunga FC and Plateau Queens, both from Kisumu County, are the 2024 champions of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament.
Obunga FC was crowned the new national champions after beating Rift Valley’s PASC Langa 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on regulations time in a hotly contested final played at the Jomo Kenyatta (Mamboleo) Stadium in Kisumu on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Obunga went ahead in the 13th minute with a goal courtesy of George Ogutu and the home side held on to the lead into the half time break. PASC Langa cancelled the lead in the 77th as they leveled the score line as both teams put up a spirited fight to bag a win.
With the finals whistle blowing as both teams tied 1-1 in a soggy stadium, after the second half had been delayed by a heavy downpour, Obunga custodian William Odek emerged the hero of the match as he saved two penalties to help the Nyanza region winners clinch the coveted Safaricom Chapa Dimba boys national title.
Ogutu, who missed the semi finals match yesterday proved the coach had not errerd in starting him as he used his reserved energy announce his intentions for title right from kickoff and finding the back of the net after six minutes of play to send the home team head.
The first half was an end-to-end action with PASC Langa ever on the danger line in an attempt to equalise. On the other end, Obunga custodian William Odek was called into action again when he calmly saved a shot from PASC Langa before he parried away a set piece from PASC Langa defender on the 27th minute.
Ogutu was denied a one-on-one by PASC Langa custodian who was forced to come off his line and clear the danger on the 36th minute from a corner.
Ealier, Plateau Queens, also from Nyanza were on the rampage thrashing Central Region’s Barcelona Ladies SC by a massive 4-0 thumping in the girls’ national final to lift the girls national title.
Queens’ striker Emily Moraa opened the tally after sending the Nyanza side ahead in the 38th minute. Swaum Masungo added a second goal for Plateau Queens in the 47th minute as the Nyanza side continued to pile preassure on Laikipia’s Barcelona Ladies whose defence was caught unawares to see Maureen Atieno score a beautiful back-flip and add a third goal for the seasoned Plateau Queens on the 56th minute.
Masungo sealed the win with two minutes left to injury time after leaving Barcelona keeper Sonia Wambui for dead to slam home into an empty net.
The finals were attended by among others the Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa and Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa.
Plateau Queens walked away with Ksh. 1 million cash reward, while the runners-up and second runners-up received Ksh. 500,000 and Ksh. 250,000, respectively.
Additionally, each player, winners, runners-up, and second runners-up, received Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphone in Kenya.
Outstanding players, including the Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, and Most Valuable Player (boys and girls), also each got Kshs 50,000.