Isiolo’s MAFA Academy will square it out with Meru’s Mikinduri Rock-Star FC in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional boys’ final tomorrow at Moi Stadium in Embu County.
MAFA Academy booked their place in the final after overwhelming Makueni’s Mbuthani Secondary School 6-1 in a mouthwatering semi-final encounter at Moi Stadium. Zakir Mohammed scored a hat-trick, while Daud Abdullahi added a brace and Abdijabar Hashim scored the other goal. Dennis Mwamu scored Mbuthani’s consolation goal.
“First, I would like to thank my boys for their outstanding performance. They stuck to our game plan, which was to possess the ball and be tactical. This is our first time playing Chapa Dimba, and reaching this stage means a lot to us and the people of Isiolo. Personally, I am a product of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season two, and I am happy to now come back as a coach. We got a red card, but that didn’t affect our game as we continued to dominate. Tomorrow, we face Mikinduri, and we are ready. We want to take this trophy to Isiolo,” said Ibrahim Abdisalan, Head Coach, MAFA Academy.
In the other boys’ semi-final, Mikinduri Rock-Star FC came from behind to beat Machakos’ Golden Football Academy 2-1. Bramuel Owuor put Golden Football Academy ahead in the 21st minute, with the side taking a 1-0 lead into the break. Alex Musa levelled the scores for Mikinduri in the 70th minute before Vincent Muchui completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 80th minute to seal a 2-1 victory.
In the girls’ contest, MCF Starlets from Machakos edged Makueni’s AIC Sultan Queens 1-0, with Rose Mwende scoring the decisive goal to book their place in the final against hosts Royal Queens Academy.
Meanwhile, Royal Queens Academy secured their place in the final after defeating Marsabit’s Dakabaricha Secondary School 3-1. Justa Mwende and Miriam Nduku scored for Royal Queens, while Emmaculate Moraa found the net for Dakabaricha.
“We are through with today’s match, although it wasn’t easy as we missed many chances. Our focus now shifts to tomorrow’s game. I know it won’t be easy as we face the hosts, but we are determined to win and take this trophy to Machakos,” said Abednego Matata, Head Coach, MCF Starlets.
The winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will each take home Ksh. 250,000 and earn a place at the National Finals, while runners-up will receive Ksh. 150,000, among other prizes.
There will also be individual awards for grabs. The Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive Ksh. 30,000, while the Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) will also receive Ksh. 30,000, in addition to a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
Tomorrow’s finals will be preceded by an exhibition match between Safaricom staff and Embu-based media, with Ksh. 40,000 up for grabs for the winning team before another showdown between 3K FC and Kenya Polic FC.
