Barcelona Rising Starlets, LYSA retain Laikipia Chapa Dimba County titles

Barcelona Rising Starlets defeated Nanyuki Starlets 1-0 to retain the girls’ county title for the fifth consecutive time. In the boys’ final, LYSA edged Ilpolei Giants 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time to retain their county crown.

“This is the fifth time we have lifted the county title. Although it wasn’t easy, we managed to pull through despite missing several chances. This is a new squad, and for most of the players, it is their first time competing in a serious tournament,” said Emman Wafula Gullit, head coach of Barcelona Rising Starlets.

“After Chapa Dimba lowered the age limit, I had to quickly assemble a new team to carry on the legacy and success we have built in this tournament. We expect a tough competition in the regional finals, but we are ready for the challenge,” he added.

Other teams that have qualified for the Central Regional Finals include Thriving Queens (Kiambu), Kerugoya Sportiff (Kirinyaga), St. Joseph Starlets (Murang’a), and Karatina Home Queens (Nyeri) in the girls’ category.

In the boys’ category, the qualifiers are LYSA (Laikipia), MASFO (Kiambu), Kiaga Secondary School (Kirinyaga), CDM Emmanuel FC (Murang’a), and Giakairu (Nyeri).

The county winners received KSh 75,000 each and secured places in the Central Regional Finals, which will be held on Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County.

In addition to the team prizes, outstanding individual players, including the Best Goalkeepers, MVPs, and Top Scorers, received KSh 10,000 each. The MVPs also received fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme.