After intense knock-out matches held over the weekend in Migori and Homa Bay counties, eight teams are now competing for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza Regional title. These teams include Obunga FC and Plateau Queens from Kisumu, St. Peters Wagai Mixed and Victoria Sports Academy (VSA) from Siaya, Awendo Academy and Ageng’a Girls from Migori, Nyaguku FC from Nyamira, and Kisii Queens from Kisii. The teams that advanced to the finals will face off against each other in the upcoming weekend at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
Obunga FC from Kisumu secured their spot in the regional title race by defeating Homa Bay’s Karabondi FC 1-0 in a match held at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday. However, Karabondi FC’s attempt at redemption in their second match proved unsuccessful when they suffered another 2-0 defeat, this time against St. Peter’s Wagai from Siaya. Obunga FC and St. Peter’s Wagai played to a goalless 0-0 draw, resulting in both teams qualifying with four points each.
Amos Ochieng, the Head Coach of Obunga FC, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, saying, “Today’s games were tough, but I am glad my boys took them seriously. They gave their best to earn us a ticket to Kisumu for the regional finals.” He also acknowledged the challenging nature of the playoffs, emphasizing that every team gives their all to advance to the next level.
In other exciting matches, the reigning national champions, Plateau Queens, demonstrated their dominance by winning both of their matches against Ogande Girls from Homa Bay and VSA Girls from Siaya, securing the top position in their group. Plateau Queens started the day with a 3-1 victory over Ogande, the home team, with goals from Swaumu Masungo, Maureen Atieno, and Emilly Morang’a, while Ogande managed to score one consolation goal through Mercy Achieng. Plateau Queens continued their winning streak by defeating VSA Girls 1-0, thanks to a goal from Swaumu Masungo, earning them six points and the top spot in their group.
Ogande FC had another disappointing outing as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of VSA Girls, resulting in VSA Girls finishing second in the group and qualifying for the Nyanza regional matches.
In separate inter-county playoffs held at Rongo Show Ground in Migori County on Saturday, Ageng’a Girls secured the top spot in the girls’ category with four points. They achieved this by defeating Rigoma (Lowlands) Starlets 3-0 and playing to a 0-0 draw against Kisii Queens. Kisii Queens finished second in the category after winning their second match 2-1 against Rigoma Starlets. Unfortunately, Rigoma Starlets ended up at the bottom of the group and were eliminated from the competition.
In the boys’ category, Awendo Academy and Nyaguku FC secured their spots in the regional finals after Kisii’s Small Simba was disqualified for fielding ineligible players.