Kelvin Ryan of Obunga FC and Obunga FC coach Evans Oketch and Plateau Queens counterpart Chrispine Odindo have shifted their focus to the Nyanza regional contest after guiding their teams to the Safaricom Chapa Dimba county titles in Kisumu.
The Nyanza Regional Finals are will he held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, in Kisumu on September 12 and 13.
Oketch guided Obunga to retain the men’s Kisumu county title after a 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Julu Nyambugu following a barren draw.
“It was not an easy game. Our opponents were tough and pushed us to penalties. I thank my players and the fans for their support in helping us retain the county title. The experience I have gained through Chapa Dimba and our visit to Spain last year helped us stay focused and get the job done. There will be pressure at the regionals as defending champions, but we are ready to fight for the regional crown,” said Oketch.
Odindo is equally ambitious after leading Plateau Queens, also known as Nyakach Girls, to a third consecutive Kisumu county title with a 4-0 victory over Victoria Soccer Academy.
Joan Ogola opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Emily Adhiambo completed a hat-trick to seal the emphatic win.
“I am really excited to retain this title for the third time. We dominated the game and made sure that we won. For the regionals, we are going for nothing but the trophy. We are ready, as this is one of the tournaments we value a lot,” said Odindo.
Obunga and Plateau Queens are among 12 county champions who will contest the regional finals, with teams from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira, Kisii and Homa Bay represented in the boys’ and girls’ categories.
In Siaya, Indomitable Soldiers beat Real Talent Academy 10-9 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the boys’ title, while Nyamira Starlets defeated Lwak Starlets 6-5 on penalties.
Awendo Academy retained the Migori boys’ title after beating Korwa Secondary School 1-0, while Oyugi Ogango Girls' edged Mukuyu Queens 3-2 to claim the women’s crown.
Nyaguku FC retained the Nyamira boys’ title, beating Global Junior 4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Masosa Starlets became the new girls’ champions.
Sameta High School won the Kisii boys’ title with a 1-0 victory over The Mighty FC, while Otendo Comprehensive Starlets beat Omogwa Comprehensive 2-0.
In Homa Bay, Kendu Muslim beat Kokwanyo Youth Soccer Academy 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Hedso Queens, also known as Saye Secondary School, claimed their maiden girls’ title by overcoming Kachar Queens 3-2 on penalties.
The regional finals will start with an inter-county playoff, followed by coaches’ and players’ clinics before the semi-finals and finals.
Each county champion received Sh75,000, while runners-up pocketed Sh30,000, alongside individual prizes.
Frankline Onyango (in blue) of Julu Nyabangu FC and Kelvin Ryan (in green) of Obunga FC battle for the ball during the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Kisumu County Finals held at Kisumu National Polytechnic.
