The Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional semifinals are set to kick off at Moi Stadium in Embu, with eight teams securing their spots. These teams include Royal Queens Academy from Embu County and Marsabit's Dakabaricha Secondary School, who will compete against other top teams in the girls' and boys' categories. The teams won their respective quarterfinal knockout matches played at various grounds, including Kairuri, Nembure, Kamiu, and Embu Showground.
In the girls' category, Royal Queens Academy advanced to the semifinals after defeating regional defending champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui 2-0. Dakabaricha Secondary School also secured their spot after edging Bridge Starlets from Isiolo 2-1. Other teams that made it to the semifinals include AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni, who thrashed Mugona Girls from Tharaka Nithi 5-1, and MCF Starlets, who edged Meru's Akuune Queens 1-0.
The boys' category also saw exciting matches, with Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni booking an early semifinal slot after narrowly defeating hosts Black Cats Football Academy 2-1. Golden Football Academy slid into the semis after edging Marsabit's Abdary FC 3-2 on penalties following a thrilling 4-4 draw in regular time. MAFA Academy and SPMI Academy also secured their spots in the semifinals.
Royal Queens Academy's Head Coach, Muka Protus, expressed his team's determination to win the trophy, saying they stuck to their game plan to secure the win against Syomunyu Queens. He also called upon their fans to come out in large numbers and cheer them on in the semifinals. The team's strategy to get an early goal worked to their advantage, reducing the pressure and securing the win.
Mbuthani Secondary School's Head Coach, Geoffrey Mwendwa, also expressed his team's excitement to reach the semifinals, saying it has been their wish to reach this level. He noted that beating the hosts in the knockouts was not something they took for granted, and their aim is to lift the trophy as they proceed to the semifinals.
Today's matches were followed by players' and coaches' clinics at Moi Stadium, where participants were taken through various topics, including financial literacy, data privacy, mental health, and AI-powered vests. The clinics aimed to equip the players and coaches with essential skills and knowledge to improve their performance.
The semifinals are set to take place tomorrow, with AIC Sultan Queens taking on MCF Starlets in the first girls' semifinal, followed by hosts Royal Queens Academy facing Marsabit's Dakabaricha Secondary School in the second girls' encounter. In the boys' category, Golden Football Academy will open the semifinals against SPMI Academy, before MAFA Academy faces Makueni's Mbuthani Secondary School. The winners of the respective semifinals will advance to Sunday's finals.
Key points
- The eight teams that secured their semifinal spots are Royal Queens Academy, Dakabaricha Secondary School, AIC Sultan Queens, MCF Starlets, Mbuthani Secondary School, Golden Football Academy, MAFA Academy, and SPMI Academy.
- The semifinals will take place at Moi Stadium in Embu, with the winners advancing to Sunday's finals.
- The champions of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region will take home Ksh. 250,000, while the runners-up will pocket Ksh. 150,000, alongside other individual prizes.
