Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers and Migori’s Awendo Football Academy have advanced to the boys’ final of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza regional games after recording 1-0 wins in the semi-finals played on September 12, 2026 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, in Kisumu, Safaricom said in a press release.

Indomitable Soldiers, students of Wagai Mixed Secondary School, eliminated regional and national defending champions Obunga FC 1-0, with Nelson Warambo scoring in the 28th minute, according to the statement. In the other semi-final, Awendo Football Academy edged Kendu Muslim 1-0 to book a place in the final for the second consecutive year. Safaricom said Kevin Mukaramoja scored the winner after receiving a cross from Shaban Quimba.

In the girls’ category, Plateau Queens will face Homa Bay’s Hedso Queens in the regional final. Safaricom said Plateau Queens, described as two-time regional and national champions, are seeking a third regional title after beating Nyamira’s Masosa Starlets 8-0 in their semi-final. Emily Adhiambo scored a hat-trick, Beryl Awuor scored twice, while Melda Akinyi, Joan Agola and Elizabeth Alpine added one goal each, according to the press release.

Hedso Queens secured their place in the final after defeating Kisii’s Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 4-0. Safaricom said Khadija Furaha scored twice, with Michele Achieng and Saumu Chizi also on the scoresheet.

The outcomes come as corporate-backed youth sports programmes continue to play a growing role in talent development and community engagement across Kenya, often combining competition with education and welfare components. Safaricom positions Chapa Dimba as part of its wider community initiatives, while the regional finals also act as qualifiers for the national stage.

Indomitable Soldiers head coach Nicholas Owende said the team’s victory over Obunga FC marked a milestone. “Beating the defending champions is not easy. We stuck to our game plan, and we are happy that, for the first time, we have made it to the final. We know it won’t be an easy game, but we are determined to lift this trophy and take it back to Siaya,” Owende said, according to the press release.

Safaricom said winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 250,000 and qualify for the national finals, while runners-up will take home KES 150,000. The company also announced individual awards: best goalkeeper and top scorer in both categories will each receive KES 30,000, and the most valuable player (Golden Ball) will receive KES 30,000 plus a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

Beyond match results, Safaricom said it held clinics for coaches and players at the venue covering football and additional themes including mental health, data privacy and personal branding—an approach that reflects the increasing integration of life-skills training in youth competitions.

Safaricom added that the regional finals will be preceded by an exhibition match between Safaricom staff and Kisumu-based media, with KES 40,000 for the winning team.

The Nyanza regional finals are expected to determine the teams that will represent the region at the national finals, where additional exposure could attract interest from academies and scouts within Kenya’s football development ecosystem.

Eight teams have qualified for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza Regional semifinals following inter-county playoffs held on September 11, 2026 across four venues in Kisumu County, according to a statement from Safaricom. The semifinals will be played on September 12 at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu County.

The qualified teams are defending champions Obunga FC, Kendu Muslim, Awendo Football Academy, Indomitable Soldiers, Plateau Queens, Masosa Starlets, Hedso Queens and Otendo Comprehensive Starlets, the statement said.

The tournament results set up a weekend of matches that will culminate in Sunday’s finals, with the organisers indicating prize money of KES 250,000 for champions and KES 150,000 for runners-up, alongside other individual prizes including smartphones.

Results from the inter-county playoffs

In the boys’ category, Pool A matches at Kasagam School Playground saw Kisumu-based Obunga FC finish top with four points. Obunga beat Nyaguku FC 2–1, then drew 2–2 with Kendu Muslim of Homa Bay. Kendu Muslim and Nyaguku FC drew 1–1, eliminating Nyaguku.

In Pool B at Railways Ground, Awendo Football Academy secured top spot. Awendo drew 0–0 with Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers in the opening match, then beat Sameta High School of Kisii 1–0. Earlier, Indomitable Soldiers and Sameta had drawn 2–2, a result that contributed to Sameta’s exit.

In the girls’ category, Pool A matches at Kisumu Boys High School saw Plateau Queens qualify after beating Nyamira Starlets-Bondo 1–0 and Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 2–0. Otendo then beat Nyamira Starlets-Bondo 1–0, eliminating Nyamira.

Pool B fixtures at Kisumu Day saw Hedso Queens of Homa Bay advance after beating Masosa Starlets of Nyamira County 4–2 and Oyugi Ogango Girls 4–1. The match between Oyugi Ogango and Masosa ended 1–1, which, according to the statement, resulted in both Hedso Queens and Masosa Starlets progressing to the semifinals.

Coaches’ reactions

Isaac Odhiambo, Assistant Coach of Indomitable Soldiers, said the team expects a stronger showing after reaching the last four. “First, I am happy to have reached this far. It wasn’t easy considering how competitive the region is in terms of football… this year we are determined to get to the finals and take home the regional trophy,” Odhiambo said.

He added the team will address mistakes after drawing both matches. “My boys really displayed a good game, though we drew both our matches… tomorrow, we hope to give our best and rectify the mistakes,” Odhiambo said.

Moses Atego, Assistant Coach of Plateau Queens, said the defending champions are taking a cautious approach. “We are taking it one game at a time. Every team here is a champion from their respective counties… we are determined to defend our title,” Atego said.

Why it matters

Safaricom’s continued backing of youth football through Chapa Dimba positions the tournament as a regular pipeline for talent identification while drawing activity to host counties through matchday logistics, local venues and associated services. For Safaricom, the programme also remains part of its wider brand and community engagement strategy in Kenya’s sports ecosystem.

Next matches

The girls’ semifinals will feature Plateau Queens vs Masosa Starlets, followed by Hedso Queens vs Otendo Comprehensive Starlets. In the boys’ semifinals, Awendo Football Academy will play Kendu Muslim before Obunga FC face Indomitable Soldiers, with winners advancing to Sunday’s finals, according to the statement.

Twelve football teams from across the Nyanza region have qualified for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza Regional Finals set for Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, in Kisumu, after winning their respective county competitions over the weekend.

According to a Safaricom statement dated September 6, 2026, county champions took home KES 75,000 each, while runners-up received KES 30,000, alongside additional individual prizes.

The qualifiers include Obunga FC and Plateau Queens from Kisumu County, Awendo Academy from Migori County, and Sameta High School from Kisii County.

The regional finals are part of Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba tournament series, which has become a recurring platform for youth football talent identification and competition across Kenya’s counties. The event also draws local spectators and requires logistics and venue operations that typically benefit host towns through accommodation, transport and small-scale trade around match venues.

In Kisumu County, Obunga FC defended their county title by beating Julu Nyambugu 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regular time. Evans Oketch, head coach of Obunga FC, said the team expects a tougher contest at the regional stage.

“It was not an easy game. Our opponents were tough and pushed us to penalties. I thank my players and the fans for their support in helping us retain the county title,” Oketch said. “The experience I have gained through Chapa Dimba and our visit to Spain last year helped us stay focused and get the job done. There will be pressure at the regionals as defending champions, but we are ready to fight for the regional crown.”

In the girls’ category in Kisumu, Plateau Queens (Nyakach Girls) retained their county crown for a third consecutive time after defeating Victoria Soccer Academy 4-0. Joan Ogola scored in the 13th minute, while Emily Adhiambo scored a hat-trick, Safaricom said.

“I am really excited to retain this title for the third time. We dominated the game and made sure that we won,” said Chrispine Odindo, head coach of Plateau Queens. “For the regionals, we are going for nothing but the trophy.”

Other county results highlighted in the statement include Siaya County, where Indomitable Soldiers beat Real Talent Academy 10-9 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the boys’ title, while Nyamira Starlets beat Lwak Starlets 6-5 on penalties to win the girls’ title.

In Migori County, Awendo Academy beat Korwa Secondary School 1-0 to retain the boys’ title for a second time, while Oyugi Ogango Girls won the girls’ category after edging Mukuyu Queens 3-2.

In Nyamira County, Nyaguku FC retained the boys’ county title after beating Global Junior 4-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw. Masosa Starlets won the girls’ category after a 1-0 win over the season four champions, Safaricom said.

In Kisii County, Sameta High School beat The Mighty FC 1-0 to claim the boys’ title, while Otendo Comprehensive Starlets won the girls’ trophy after a 2-0 win against Omogwa Comprehensive.

In Homa Bay County, Kendu Muslim won the boys’ title after beating Kokwanyo Youth Soccer Academy 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, while Hedso Queens (Saye Secondary School) won the girls’ title by beating Kachar Queens of Rangwe 3-2 on penalties.

Safaricom said the Nyanza Regional Finals will begin with an inter-county playoff, followed by coaches’ and players’ clinics, before proceeding to the semi-finals and finals at the Kisumu venue.

For Safaricom, the tournament sits alongside its wider brand and community initiatives and keeps the firm visible in regional markets beyond Nairobi, while offering structured competition for youth teams drawn from schools and community clubs. The regional finals are expected to determine which teams advance to subsequent stages of the Chapa Dimba competition.