Chakol Queens, John Osogo schools emerge Busia county Chapa Dimba champions

Busia County Secondary Schools ladies and boys champions Chakol Queens  from Teso South Sub County and John Osogo Secondary School (JOSS) from Bunyala, were on Saturday  crowned Busia County ladies and boys  Safaricom Chapa  Dimba soccer champions respectively.

Chakol Girls Secondary, which represented the county at the regionals of  the secondary school games in Kakamega that ended recently were declared new champions in the fourth edition of the tournament after beating Kingandole Queens 4-1 in the finals played at Otimong Primary School ground.

Chakol Queens that are  participating in the Western regional league stunned their opponents with a first minute goal through Maximilla Apio, whose close range shot caught Kingandole goalkeeper Immaculate Anyango napping.

Unperturbed by the early setback, Kingandole, which dominated regional secondary school games unabated in previous years, before they went into oblivion levelled the score two minutes later through Phozy Achieng to bring life into the game that was officiated by National Superleague  referee Stephen Ndiacha assisted by Duncan Omondi and Henry Agona.

The tide changed in Chakol Queens’ favour, as they took charge of the match with the defence marshalled by stopper Melisa Amusolo foiling attacks from Kingandole centre forwards,  including Namaron Halima, and Veronica Ikwara.

With 22 minutes into the first half, Chakol  took the lead with Maryline Tata, making it 2-1  before Abigael Ilukor struck the third goal three minutes later to take a 3-1 lead at the break in the match watched by Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee Member in charge of Youth football Mr  Chris Amimo, FKF Busia Branch chairman Hillary Musundi, Members of the County Assembly Denzel Musumba (Chakol South), Ken Rupia (Nambale) and Chapa Dimba organisers from Nairobi and the County.

The half-time peptalk paid off  dividends for the winners with Lilian Achom, netting the third goal in the 49th minute to seal any hopes the Nambale side had in coming back into the game that saw Chakol strikers miss gilt edge chances.Their victory earned them a cash award of Ksh75,000 with Kingandole receiving Ksh30,000.

In the boys’ category, JOSS took top position after beating Busia County Zone B League champions Teens of Hope from Nambale Sub County 1-0 in a thriller-a-minute encounter that was officiated by Henry Agona.The lone goal was scored by Evans Siande in the 31st minute. The winners received Ksh75,000 and runners-up Ksh30,000

Melisa Amusolo of Chakol Queens emerged the Most Valubale player to receive an award of Ksh10,000 and TVET scholarship from Safaricom. Joy Ajalet, also from Chakol and  Phozy Achieng of  Kingandole, emerged joint  top scorers with six goals apiece. They shared Ksh10,000.

Amusolo thanked Safaricom for the sponsorship, noting that the victory was worth celebrating, adding that their focus was now on capturing the regional title that will kick off in Kakamega  starting August 26th 2023,  warning their opponents of their desire to progress to the national finals.

Head coach Kaliya Anthony said he was happy with the win, exuding confidence that they are ready for the regionals and emerge victorious.” Injuries at the regional school games saw us fail to qualify for semi-finals losing to Archbishop Njenga and Madira, noting that they have now what it takes to capture Chapa Dimba regional title.”

Kingandole Captain Melvin Judith thanked God despite the loss, adding that the training was good, but they ran out of steam that saw her teammates lose hope early. Despite their disqualification at the county level of the school games, she promised a come-back in next  year’s games.

Head coach Amos Jack said the team played well but lost. ” We accept defeat, will shall strive to  beat our worthy opponents Chakol at whatever tournament we shall meet next time.”

In the boys’ category, Douglas Lumumba from JOSS took the most valuable player award of Ksh10,000 and TVET scholarship.Stephen Otwane of Teens of Hope emerged top scorer with 7 goals to his credit to receive Ksh10,000 while JOSS’s Nakhande Morgan  took the best goalkeeper award to carry home Ksh 10,000 cash award.

FkF Busia Branch chairman Hillary Musundi, the brain  behind the organisation of the tournament, thanked Safaricom for sponsoring the event  to showcase their talents, promising to convene a meeting of coaches to encourage them to pursue further courses in order to reduce cheating that was witnessed in the just ended secondary school games.

” Coaches should embrace discipline and honesty and above all polish players in order to get a good team instead of going for mercenaries which can risk the jobs of principals when their schools are sent packing despite progressing in the tournament,” he said.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba Cluster Business Lead Busia County  Cornelius Mutoro Wekesa thanked FKF Busia Branch for Marshalling a record 64 teams that participated in the tournament, noting that every part of Busia County was covered.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a national football tournament for male and female youths aged between 16 and 20. It aims at transforming young people’s lives by giving them a platform to showcase their talents and opportunity to earn from their passion.