St. Joseph Starlets & LYSA Crowned Safaricom Chapa Dimba Central Region Champions
Murang’a, Kenya – St. Joseph Starlets Murang’a and Laikipia Youth Soccer Academy (LYSA) have been crowned champions of the fifth edition of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Central Region tournament, securing their places at the national finals scheduled for early next year.
The two-day tournament, which concluded on Sunday, delivered thrilling finals and stunning performances, with both champions walking away with Ksh 250,000 each, smartphones, airtime, and the ultimate prize – a ticket to represent the Central Region at the national level.
Girls’ Final: St. Joseph Starlets End Five-Season Wait
St. Joseph Starlets produced a masterclass performance to beat Barcelona Rising Starlets 5-1 in the girls’ final, ending a five-season wait for the regional crown and shattering Barcelona’s dominance in the competition.
The match was effectively decided in the first half, with St. Joseph establishing a commanding 2-0 lead by the break. Patience Waithera opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before Iffy Moraa doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Fiona Mmboga was penalised for a foul inside the box.
The second half belonged entirely to Waithera, who turned on the style to score three more goals, completing a remarkable four-goal haul. Waithera’s clinical finishing proved too much for Barcelona Rising Starlets to handle.
Nevian Anyoso managed to pull one back for Barcelona, but the Murang’a side remained in complete control to seal a commanding 5-1 victory and secure their first regional title in five seasons.
Coach’s Reaction
Speaking after the match, an emotional Geofrey Kitemi, Head Coach of St. Joseph Starlets Murang’a, expressed his joy at finally achieving the regional crown.
“First, let me thank God for this win. It wasn’t easy. It has always been our wish to win the regional title and take my team to the nationals, and today we have made it. Last season, we lost to Barcelona 5-0, and today we came for revenge. We had studied our opponents and made sure we kept possession and controlled the game. I am happy with what my girls have done. Now we go back to prepare for the nationals. Our aim is to lift the national trophy.”
Boys’ Final: LYSA Defend Their Crown
In the boys’ category, LYSA, under the stewardship of coach Farouque Djeffah, defended their regional title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over MASFO Academy.
The decisive moment came in the nineteenth minute when Patrick Ngaira calmly converted a penalty after Dokhor Kiir was penalised for a foul inside the box. The goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.
MASFO pushed relentlessly for an equaliser but were unable to find a breakthrough. Kelvin Lemein came agonisingly close when his free kick struck the crossbar, while Samwel Parmuat squandered a one-on-one opportunity with the LYSA goalkeeper. The Laikipia side held firm to secure their third regional title.
Coach’s Reaction
Farouque Djeffah acknowledged the tough nature of the encounter but expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience.
“It was really a tough game, not as we had anticipated, but we are happy to defend our title. Most of my players were a bit fatigued, but we remained determined, knowing the importance of this tournament and the opportunity to get to the nationals. Once again, I want to thank Safaricom for this great tournament, allowing our young players to showcase their talents. I am sure some of my players will be among the All-Star teams that will be going to Sweden for the Gothia Cup next year.”
Prize Breakdown
| Category | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | St. Joseph Starlets Murang’a | Barcelona Rising Starlets |
| Boys | LYSA (Laikipia Youth Soccer Academy) | MASFO Academy |
Prize Money
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Champions | Ksh 250,000 each |
| Runners-up | Ksh 150,000 each |
Individual Awards
| Award | Girls’ Winner | Boys’ Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Goalkeeper | Gladys Wanjoro (Barcelona) | Stephen Kamau (LYSA) | Trophies |
| Top Scorer | Patience Waithera (St. Joseph) | Samson Epuu (LYSA) | Trophies |
| Most Valuable Player (MVP) | Fatuma Binsuda (St. Joseph) | Edison Bwire (LYSA) | Ksh 30,000 + Full Scholarship |
Special Note: The MVP winners also received fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme, a life-changing opportunity for the young athletes.
Exhibition Match
The finals were preceded by an exhibition match between Safaricom staff and Kirinyaga journalists. The Kirinyaga-based journalists ran out 4-0 winners, taking home Ksh 40,000 in prize money.
What’s Next: National Finals & Nyanza Region
St. Joseph Starlets and LYSA now join Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive from the Western Region, who have already booked their places in the national finals. The national championship will take place early next year, with teams from all regions competing for the ultimate crown.
The Safaricom Chapa Dimba regional finals now head to the Nyanza Region, with Homa Bay County set to host the next leg at Raila Odinga Stadium on:
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 12 September 2026 | Regional Finals – Day 1 |
| Sunday, 13 September 2026 | Regional Finals – Day 2 |
Football fans in the region are encouraged to turn up in large numbers to support their local teams as they battle for a spot at the national finals.
About Safaricom Chapa Dimba
Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a grassroots football tournament aimed at discovering and nurturing young talent across Kenya. The tournament provides a platform for youth to showcase their skills, with winners receiving cash prizes, smartphones, airtime, and the opportunity to represent their regions at the national level.
The tournament also offers life-changing opportunities, including:
- Fully funded tertiary education scholarships for MVP winners
- All-Star team selection for international tournaments like the Gothia Cup in Sweden
- Exposure to scouts and talent identification programs
Key Takeaways
✅ St. Joseph Starlets end five-season wait with dominant 5-1 victory
✅ LYSA defend regional title with gritty 1-0 win
✅ Both champions earn Ksh 250,000 each plus nationals tickets
✅ MVP winners receive Ksh 30,000 and full education scholarships
✅ Next stop: Nyanza Region at Raila Odinga Stadium on 12-13 September
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When are the national finals?
A: The national finals are scheduled for early next year. Exact dates will be announced by Safaricom.
Q: How many teams have qualified for the nationals so far?
A: Four teams have qualified: Vihiga Cranes (Western), Lugari Progressive (Western), St. Joseph Starlets (Central), and LYSA (Central).
Q: What do the MVP winners receive?
A: Ksh 30,000 cash plus a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
Q: Where is the next regional final?
A: The Nyanza Region finals will be held at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on 12-13 September 2026.
Follow Safaricom Chapa Dimba on social media for updates on the national finals and upcoming regional tournaments.