Vihiga Cranes of Vihiga County and Lugari Progressive of Kakamega County have won the Western Region titles in Chapa Dimba.
The two teams emerged champions during the fifth edition of the Safaricom tournament held at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi.
Their victories secured places at the national finals scheduled for later next year. Each team also received Ksh 250,000, smartphones and airtime for winning the regional championships.
Vihiga Cranes claimed the boys’ title after defeating Musokoto Secondary School of Busia County by one goal. The final remained closely contested before Vihiga found the breakthrough during the second half.
Tonny Omondi scored in the 61st minute after connecting with Luke Ramsey’s well delivered corner. The header settled the match and handed Vihiga Cranes the Western Region championship.
The victory added another regional title to head coach Francis Muhambe’s coaching record. Muhambe had previously won the regional competition with Ebwali Boys during the preceding season.
He said the latest victory followed a difficult contest against a strong Musokoto side. The coach also said his players would now focus on preparing for the national finals.
Musokoto Secondary School finished second after their narrow defeat in the boys’ final. The Busia side received Ksh 150,000 together with smartphones and airtime.
The rewards extended financial recognition beyond the regional champions and recognised the teams reaching the final. Both sides will leave the competition with further exposure from their run through the Western Region stage.
Lugari Progressive secured the girls’ championship after a goalless draw against Chakol Girls. The Kakamega team eventually prevailed 5 4 during the penalty shootout to claim the regional crown.
Neither side found the net during regulation time, leaving the championship to be settled from the spot. Chakol Girls received Ksh 150,000, smartphones and airtime after finishing as regional runners up.
Lugari coach Fred Serenge credited his players for maintaining concentration throughout the demanding final. He said the team had shifted its attention to Chapa Dimba after missing the national school games in Tanzania.
The victory therefore gave the players another competitive platform and a place at the national finals. Serenge also said the tournament remained an important opportunity for developing young football talent.
The Western Region finals also produced individual awards across the boys’ and girls’ categories. The Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer awards each carried Ksh 30,000, while the Most Valuable Player received Ksh 30,000.
The MVP also earned a fully funded tertiary education scholarship through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme. Elvis Ogiro of Musokoto Secondary and Hanifa Mashasha of Chakol Girls won the respective MVP awards.
Nabo Ochieng of Musokoto Secondary and Shamsy Pachanga of Lugari Progressive received the Best Goalkeeper awards. The girls’ Top Scorer award was shared by Hanisa Mashasha, Lydia Laura, Zipporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir.
The boys’ award went to Mellon Omondi, Tonny Omondi, Rom Okitwi, Frankline Pual and Calvin Masai. The next regional finals will take place at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County on 29 and 30 August.
The Central Region stage will be the next stop as the tournament continues its national qualification process. Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive will now prepare for a stronger test against champions from other regions.
Their Western Region victories have secured progression, but the national finals will determine the overall competition outcome. The two teams therefore enter the next stage with regional titles and another opportunity to compete for national honours.
