Safaricom Chapa Dimba: Ebwali, Brenda Girls crowned 2023 Western Region Champions

27 August 2023

They both took home KES.250,000 and secured a slot to represent the region at the National Finals to be held early next year in Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya –27^th Aug 2023… Ebwali Boys from Vihiga and Brenda Girls from Bungoma are the 2023 champions of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western region.

In an exciting regional final held at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega attended by thousands of fans, Ebwali Boys edged Bungoma’s Compel Sportif scoring 1-0. Austin Odongo, headed in a free kick in the 47th minute to score the final’s solitary goal.

Titus Gambo, Compel’s hat trick hero in the semi-final, saw his penalty saved in the final by goalkeeper Nelson Angayia in the 58th minute. Compel also hit the post late in the second half, but their late rally did not bear fruit.

“I have been a goalkeeper since class 4. I am glad my efforts since the county level have ensured that my team makes it to the Chapa Dimba national finals. I have struggled so much in life, and football is my way to make it in life,” said goalkeeper Nelson Angayia.

In the girl’s final, Brenda Girls secured a 2-1 win over the region's defending champions Lugari Progressive of Kakamega.

Esther Wafula opened the scoring for Brenda Girls’ in the 15th minute after her speculative long-range effort was spilled by the Lugari Progressive goalie.

Star player and captain Marion Musanga brought hope for Lugari Progressive with a 75th-minute equaliser after cutting through Brenda Girls' defense.

A goalkeeping error led to red-hot Esther Mukhwana firing in the winning goal six minutes before the match came to an end to seal the victory for Brenda Girls.

Ebwali Boys and Brenda Girls had qualified for the regional final after beating their competitors, The Menace, 3-2 and Chakol Mix 4-1, respectively. Compel Sportif and Lugari Progressive had booked their slots in the finals after defeating John Osogo 5-3 on penalties, and Maroon Queens 3-0 respectively in the semi-finals played on Saturday.

Western region champions Ebwali and Brenda Girls’ have each pocketed KES. 250,000 and will represent the Western region in the National finals slated for early next year. The runners-up Compel Sportif and Lugari Progressive both pocketed KES. 150,000 each.

This year, Western Kenya registered a total of 441 teams participating in the tournament with Kakamega leading at 162, followed by Bungoma (152), Busia (64), and Vihiga (63).

With the Western Region done and dusted, Safaricom Chapa Dimba next heads to Nyanza with county finals slated to kick off next weekend in Siaya and Kisii.

Individual Prizes