Barcelona Rising Starlets celebrate/ HANDOUT
Barcelona Rising Starlets beat Nanyuki Starlets 1-0 at Nyahururu Stadium over the weekend to retain the girls’ title and book their place in the Central Regional Finals.
“This is the fifth time we have lifted the county title. Although it wasn’t easy, we managed to pull through despite missing several chances,” said Wafula.
The coach was particularly pleased with his players after having to rebuild the team following the tournament’s decision to lower the age limit.
“This is a new squad, and for most of the players, it is their first time competing in a serious tournament. After Chapa Dimba lowered the age limit, I had to quickly assemble a new team to carry on the legacy and success we have built in this tournament,” he said.
Wafula expects a tougher test at the regional finals but believes his team is ready to defend its crown.
“We expect a tough competition in the regional finals, but we are ready for the challenge,” he added.
In the boys’ final, Laikipia Youth Soccer Academy (LYSA) retained their county title after edging Ilpolei Giants 6-5 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
Both county winners received Sh75,000 and qualified for the Central Regional Finals, set for Saturday and Sunday at Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
Other girls’ qualifiers are Thriving Queens (Kiambu), Kerugoya Sportiff (Kirinyaga), St Joseph Starlets (Murang’a) and Karatina Home Queens (Nyeri).
In the boys’ category, LYSA will be joined by MASFO (Kiambu), Kiaga Secondary School (Kirinyaga), CDM Emmanuel FC (Murang’a) and Giakairu (Nyeri).
Individual award winners, including the Best Goalkeepers, MVPs and Top Scorers, received Sh10,000 each. The MVPs also earned fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme.
