CHAPA DIMBA NA SAFARICOM: CENTRAL FINALS

Come Play your Passion!

If there ever were a showcase for passion, then the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Central Region Semi Finals in Thika, over the weekend was certainly it. Unabating rain, passionate fans, spectators from Thika town, the best teams from Central Region, Safaricom and The Dugout converged at the Thika Technical Training Institute to participate in the fight for the Central Region Chapa Dimba na Safaricom champions!!

If you missed it, you missed out.

GIRLS’ SEMIFINALS

After qualifying for the semifinals, Limuru Starlets, from Kiambu, were drawn against Thika’s Good Girls. Spurred on by the electrifying home support, Good Girls’ Alimlim Cecilia broke the deadlock after only 10 minutes. The teams would go at each other with great tenacity with Limuru Starlets‘ Latonia Apondi restoring parity just before halftime. Contrary to expectation, the game quickly turned on its head with a quick period of repeated counter attacks from Limuru Starlets bearing two more goals before Good Girls pulled one back to end the game 3-2 to Limuru Starlets.

Despite failing to make it to the finals, and true to the Chapa Dimba philosophy of scouting and rewarding the most promising talent during the tournament, Good Girls’ Veronica Wairimu earned the Most Valuable Player award.

Rwambiti Girls player Winfred Mwelu (R) heads out the ball as Limuru Starlets player Millicent Njoki (L)

The second semi-final game saw Rwambiti, from Kirinyaga, go against Laikipia’s Express, with fans eager to find out who’d score first and dictate the pace of the game with the final against Limuru Starlets on the horizon. Express‘s several attempts to break down Rwambiti’s defence, proved futile with the game ending in a barren draw. Express would rue their missed opportunities as Rwambiti edged them out on penalties to qualify for the Final.

BOYS’ SEMIFINALS

Juja United, from Thika, went up against Kiambu’s Euronuts in the first of the Boys’ semifinals. With emphasis on their defensive shape, especially without possession, both teams failed to either create fairly decent or capitalize on any goal scoring opportunities. Despite greater intensity from both teams in the second half, no goals were scored and a penalty shootout would settle the tie. Euronutsproceeded to the finals after Juja United failed to convert two spot kicks.

The last semi-final match of the day, truly, paid credence to the age-old practice of saving the best for last. Lufa, from Laikipia vs Kirinyaga’s Intercity, blew away the crowds with their hunger for and a glut of goals. In a speedy game, intent on bringing out the best from both goalies, the first half set the tone for a thrilling remainder of the game. Lufa would regain their composure in the second half to subject their opponents to a blistering interchange of counterattacks and intelligent play to score four goals before the referee sounded the final whistle.

Results

*Limuru Starlets (Kiambu) 3-2 Good Girls (Thika)

*Rwambiti FC (Kirinyaga) 1-1 Express (Laikipia) (3-2 pens)

Juja United (Thika) 0-0 Euronuts (Kiambu)* (3-4 pens)

*Lufa (Laikipia) 4-0 Intercity (Kirinyaga)

THE FINALS

The rains would continue into the second day of the Central Region finals, but certainly not interfere with a good game of football. The players needed to be psychologically and physically prepped for the slippery and muddy conditions at the Thika Technical Training Institute football pitch, and so with longer cleats and the willingness to make more sliding tackles, there was a final to win and glory to be borne! After two exhibition matches, the first final between Rwambiti FC and Limuru Starlets kicked off. 10 minutes in and Atieno Faith from Limuru Starlets scored to announce that there was a final being played and the Starlets wanted it all. Rwambiti were content to do more defending than attacking, yet the Starlets needed no second (or third) invitation to score. Halftime: Rwambiti 0-3 Limuru Starlets. Starlet’s Millicent Njoki was taking no prisoners, capping off a wonderful display much to the chagrin of the Rwambitibackline with a second-half hattrick to take her tally to four goals in the game. By the end, it had turned into an ordeal for just about everyone associated with Rwambiti. An embarrassing scoreline of  0-6 was the result of a game that saw the winners Limuru Starletstake them to the cleaners.

Lufa were 4-0 victors coming into the finals against Intercity and were fan favourites. However, a quick first-half goal from Emmanuel Lauren (Euronuts) decided the fixture. Despite many attempts to salvage the game or force it to penalties, Lufa had to eat the humble pie and accept that they were totally outplayed.

Lufa player Piterlis Odhiambo (Right-Down) and Euronuts’ player Ezekiel Nyati (Left – UP)
Euronuts won 0-1

LIMURU STARLETS and EURONUTS are Central Region, Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Champions.

In a colorful ceremony after the games, the finalists were awarded with medals, phones, and airtime with the winners getting more valuable phones and Ksh 2000 airtime in addition to the Ksh. 200,000 given to their teams. Safaricom has invested Sh100 million towards the program which includes Sh10m worth of prizes as well as funds for the renovation of select community pitches through a legacy programme.

The winners have now joined other teams from the Rift, Eastern, Nyanza, North Eastern, Coast and Western regions for the national finals set for 24th and 25th of this March at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County, which you are highly encouraged to attend.

Come See Their Passion!

Special Thanks to LEVI ORERO and congratulations FRIDAH KARIUKI, Limuru Starlets on your winner’s medal and your team’s victory- I still, fondly and solely remember your sliding tackles!

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Results

*Limuru Starlets (Kiambu) 6-0 Rwambiti FC (Kirinyaga)

Lufa (Laikipia) 0-1 Euronuts FC (Kiambu)*

AWARDS

MVPs

• Njuguna Collins – Euronuts

• Veronica Wairimu – Good Girls

Top Scorers- Boys

• Louren Emmanuel –Euronuts

• Mwaura Erick-Lufa

• Samuel Gichuki – Lufa

• Kiloki Ronald- Lufa

• Vitalis Odhiambo- Lufa

Top Scorer- Girls

• Millicent Njoki- Limuru Starlets

Best Keeper-

Boys

• David Wainaina-Euronuts

Girls

 Susan Njeri – Limuru Starlets

This article first appeared on The Dug Out Kenya blog series on the ongoing Chapa Dimba Tournament sponsored by Safaricom.

Three Month Curfew Declared In Mt Elgon

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i has declared a 6 pm to 6 am curfew in Mt Elgon that will last for the next 90 days. 
The cabinet secretary made the announcement during a visit to the area which he also declared marked as a troubled area. He was accompanied by Lands Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney and their Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa.
A major operation to flush out armed criminals is currently ongoing and the residents have been advised not to be outside during the curfew hours. Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet has also been ordered to conduct a reshuffle of police office within the ranks of leadership in the area.
Deputy President William Ruto during a recent visit to the area warned the police and politicians colluding with the criminals that they will face the law if they do not retreat.
A wave of violence has hit the area situated in the hilly sides of Bungoma County and it is said that rivalry between some relatives is the main cause of the violence.
Villagers torched down the homes of two brothers on suspicion of robbery and they have allegedly been carrying out revenge attacks against the villagers.
This is coming before the dwellers of Mt Elgon have forgotten the agony they went through in the hands of Sabaot Land Defense Force and the military operation that was carried out to eliminate the group.

Meru University VC Japheth Magambo Fired

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed has sent the embattled vice chancellor of Meru University Professor Japheth Magambo on terminal leave months before his retirement that was scheduled for June this year.
The troubled institution is now under the leadership of Professor Charity Gichuhi who takes over in an acting capacity.
The professor of parasitology had ruled out any chances of him resigning from his position saying he had nothing wrong to warrant such a decision. Calls for him to resign took shape after the death of a student leader.

Prof Japheth Magambo

Evans Njoroge was shot dead by a police officer during demonstrations to protest fee increment in the institution. The secretary general of the university's student union was fleeing from his killer when the fatal bullet hit him in a farm. He was shot in the head at a point blank range.

Slain Evans Njoroge

Amina Mohammed made the announcement when she visited the institution today and ordered that the university be reopened in a week's time.

Ambassador Amina Mohammed

CHAPA DIMBA NA SAFARICOM- PLAYER PROFILES: YUSUF MAINGI.

Having scored for his club in the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup qualifiers, in their 1-1 draw at the Bukhungu Stadium against Madagascar’s Fosa Juniors; this week, The Dugout had the pleasure of speaking to the calm, soft-spoken and laid back Yusuf Maingi; the starlet right full back for one of the country’s most successful and popular clubs AFC Leopards.

Born in Kisumu, Yusuf Nasri Maingi, pretty much like you and I, started playing football in Class 1, at Highway Primary School, before moving on to Kakamega High School, and today at 18, is honing his skills, developing his talent and plying his trade for AFC Leopards.

Football is life for Yusuf. Not only does his passion, love and intrigue for the game go beyond his performances on the pitch or the training sessions before every game; but also he feels indebted to the sport and is eternally grateful that it has positively affected his life in becoming the man he’d like to be and also for affording him the opportunity to pursue an education through the various scholarships he’s been awarded and aspires to be nothing short of a professional footballer in the near future.

READ: CHAPA DIMBA NA SAFARICOM: CENTRAL FINALS

Yusuf burst into the limelight through the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Tournament in 2017, playing a part in the Nyanza edition, with his local side Manyatta United. The tournament wasn’t the first, for Yusuf and his peers. They had participated in a few before, although quite never played. Unfortunately, there is a long-standing and retarding tradition/practice of coaches fielding over-age players in youth tournaments in this country. So Yusuf and his mates were essentially on the fringes of the tournaments that were meant for them.

Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom, through its organizers, backed by Safaricom Ltd and in conjunction with the Federation, however, aims to break and has broken this mould. Chapa Dimba, to quote Yusuf proved to be the turning point,

“Although I did not play throughout the tournament, due to academic commitments, Coach Opiyo alinipea opportunity na playing time…”

READ: Chapa Dimba na Safaricom: The Series

Manyatta United would successfully navigate the group stages of their pool with Yusuf in the midfield, eventually coming short at the Semi-Finals of the Nyanza region. But that opportunity would leave an indelible mark on young Yusuf’s life, culminating in being scouted and signed by AFC Leopards and eventually a call-up to the National U20 side.

Yusuf, has the whole world ahead of him, and I believe, we believe and you should believe that he is equal to it. Currently, coach Robert Matano has every confidence in him with parallels being drawn between Yusuf Mainge and his mentor, icon and role model in Dani Alves, both former midfielders who have been transformed to Right Fullbacks, who inject pace, life and width down the right flank for their sides.

To the current and future crops of talented players, at the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Tournament s, Yusuf has this to say:

“Believe in God, after all, ni yeye ndiye anatupea uhai. Be Disciplined and lastly Be Humble…”

Finally, the time is now and the place is here to support and develop the youth’s talent in football, with the approach and efforts of Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba na Safaricom being commendable. The Dugout can attest to the scrutiny, inclusion of stakeholders, attention to detail, vetting of players’ age and timely financial support to teams to provide them with the opportunity, playing time and platform to be seen and heard, to develop their talent, further it and achieve their dreams.

With Yusuf Maingi, and most to the current U20 Harambee Stars players, it is unquestionable that we have young players, who are talented, have the drive, understand the technical aspects of the game and have the correct mentality to take the beautiful game, further and higher in this country. Keep your eyes on  Yusuf Maingi, the AFC Leopards Right Fullback, who at 18, with a Confederations Cup goal being the highlight of his career can and should only achieve greater things…

Special thanks to Kevin Gor  and Deryl Aduda

This article first appeared on The Dug Out Kenya blog series on the ongoing Chapa Dimba Tournament sponsored by Safaricom.

CHAPA DIMBA NA SAFARICOM: THE SERIES

A huge billboard stands proudly at the Haile Selassie roundabout in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District- a testament to a mission by Kenya’s largest telco, Safaricom: Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom. The development pipeline of any successful sports industry lies in unearthing and promoting grassroots talent, which coaches can further mould and hone to feed local league sides, represent the nation across the globe and contribute to the development of the sport in general.

Chapa Dimba stands out and has shown the importance of what supporting football initiatives can do to growing the sports landscape in Kenya. By decentralizing games to the seven regions of Kenya, the tournament aims to alleviate one of the many challenges that our young sportsmen and women are marred by- inequitable representation and unfairness in scouting. While some regions are known to produce excellent players by the stream; casting the net to the whole country ensures that the next Victor Wanyama isn’t denied that opportunity, merely because he/she hails from a region in the country where such representation is lacking.

With the run-up to the finals of the tournament, The Dugout has kept and will keep score of the games that have  thus far proven to be classy with players literally putting their best feet forward, showcasing their talent and technical ability with the dream of being spotted, rise through the ranks to some of the biggest clubs in the country; earn caps to represent the country in the U20 squad as well as win the multiple prizes up for grabs during the tourney with the epitome being a week long sports training camp with Victor Wanyama in London.

On Sunday, 26 February we visited Kenyatta National Hospital Grounds, the venue for the Nairobi County (Nairobi West) Regional Semi-Finals. Our first game started at 10 am with both teams testing each other, creating chances but failing to convert in the first half. South B United faced Al Swafaa FC in a game that offered bursts of brilliance and exceptional talent.

Spectators on both sidelines shouted instructions as the game wore on, trying their best to influence their best players. The nil-nil scoreline at halftime wasn’t inspiring and both team technical benches grilled their players changing tactics and pushing for new strategies. In the intense heat, players still had to keep a cool head and focus on the task at hand.

From a talent identification perspective, coaches look at three things;

1. Speed – how fast is the player? can they transition from slow play to rapid counter attacks with ease?
2. Ball Control – what do they do as they receive a pass?  Stop a ball while you are tearing the turf on the wing and you catch a spotter’s attention.
3. Mental Acuity – how does the player respond to coaches’ instructions? How quick is he in making decisions on the pitch?

READ: Chapa Dimba na Safaricom- Player Profiles: YUSUF MAINGI.

We let the professionals do their work but we let our eyes do the talking in the second half. Spot. Spot the stars.

Two rapid goals turned the game on its head and soon Al Swafaa had players standing, arms akimbo. Disillusioned.

Maybe this was it. The end.

A famous football scout once said a good player on the pitch is like a beautiful girl in a room. You will see her at some point.

Star players can change games. All they need is that one opportunity When Al Swafaa pulled a goal back, the game reached new heights of intensity. Changing from the slow passing game to a fast pace with players attacking as a pack trying to break down the opponents’ defence. Minute by minute they kept attempting to change their fortune. Come-backs do happen. However, sometimes it’s just too late to salvage a game. Another goal by South B United took the tally to three goals to one and the game slowed down. The dying minutes were frantic when Al Swafaa got another goal. They only needed one more for a draw.

Too late. FT:3-2!

While fans celebrated with their players, the message was clear.

It doesn’t matter which side you are on; the cream always comes to the top.

Many have been here before, many have succeeded before. the quality of the pitch doesn’t matter.

Give a man half a chance, and he takes it.

Full-Time Results

South B United 3-2 Al Swafaa FC

Vapor FC 1-1 Slum Dwellers  (3-4 pens)

Special thanks to Levi Orero, Wanjera Wanjira and Deryl Aduda. 

This article first appeared on The Dug Out Kenya blog series on the ongoing Chapa Dimba Tournament sponsored by Safaricom.