Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive (Archbishop Njenga Girls) from Kakamega County have been crowned champions of the fifth edition of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region, following finals played at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County.
Vihiga Cranes claimed the boys’ title after beating Busia’s Musokoto Secondary School 1-0 in a tightly contested final. The only goal came in the 61st minute, when Tonny Omondi rose to head home a superbly delivered corner from Luke Ramsey, sealing the win for the Cranes.
Head coach Francis Muhambe said the victory carried special significance. “First, I want to thank God for this victory and also Safaricom for putting together such an amazing tournament. Last season, I won the regional title with Ebwali Boys, and today winning with Vihiga Cranes is something I don’t take for granted,” Muhambe said. He added that focus now shifts to the national finals.
In the girls’ category, Lugari Progressive dramatically clinched the regional crown, defeating Busia’s Chakol Girls 5-4 on penalties after the sides could not be separated in normal time.
Individual honours were shared across both finalists. The boys’ Top Scorer award went jointly to Vihiga Cranes’ Mellon Omondi and Tonny Omondi, alongside Musokoto’s Rom Okitwi, Frankline Paul and Calvin Masai. Musokoto’s Elvis Ogiro was named boys’ MVP, while Chakol Girls’ Hanifa Mashasha claimed the girls’ equivalent. Best Goalkeeper honours went to Musokoto’s Nabo Ochieng and Lugari Progressive’s Shamsy Pachanga.
With the Western Region now concluded, the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament moves to the Central Region, with the next round of regional finals scheduled for August 29 and 30 at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County, where Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive will discover their next challengers on the road to the national title.
