Eight teams storm Safaricom Chapa Dimba Kakamega County finals

In the boys' category, Holy Cross Injira Senior School qualified from Mukumu after defeating Kwarula Youngsters Academy 4-0 and Shivagala Academy 2-0.

Green Buffaloes advanced from Butere with victories over Mwalmart Youth 4-0 and Brave Warriors Youth 1-0 while Mumias Vipers sealed their place after beating Ngairwe Elite FC 1-0 and Navakholo Senior School 2-0.

The girls' qualifiers also produced dominant performances. Lugari Progressive Academy progressed from Lugari after defeating Golden Queens 2-1 and Luanda Starlets 1-0.

Red Commandos qualified from Butere with 3-0 and 4-0 wins over Mulwanda Queens and Indomitable Girls respectively while Bushiri Queens advanced from Mumias after thrashing Mukhuwa Starlets 5-0 before edging Mwira Queens 1-0.

At Mukumu Boys High School, The Phoenix Mukumu underlined their title ambitions with a commanding 6-0 victory over Bluesantos Queens before overcoming Lirhembe Girls 2-1.

Speaking after the Mukumu qualifiers, FKF Shinyalu Sub-Branch Chairman Elias Selete said the standard of competition continues to improve as teams progress through the tournament.

"The competition is tough. Western has always been a home of talent, and the further we progress, the tougher it becomes," he said.

Selete credited the tournament with giving young footballers a platform to launch professional careers citing players such as Japheth 'Gentico' Shikanga, Alvin Mang'eni and Brian Yakhama who have gone on to feature for clubs in Kenya and abroad.

"They started somewhere and Safaricom Chapa Dimba gave them that opportunity. Without this platform, a lot of raw talent would have gone to waste," he added.

However, he called for improved player welfare and urging organisers to provide better medical cover and refreshments for teams playing multiple matches in a day.

At the Mumias qualifiers, FKF Mumias West Sub-Branch Secretary Justus Khata praised changes to this year's age verification process, saying they had made the competition fairer and encouraged wider participation.

"We have even copied this Chapa Dimba model by organising Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 competitions in Mumias West. Scouts are also finding it easier to identify talented players at this level," he said.

Bushiri Queens head coach John Shiumo said reaching the county finals was a major step for his grassroots side and expressed confidence they could go even further.

"These are players I have nurtured from the grassroots. I believe they have the talent to reach the national level, and I hope to one day see some of them playing abroad,"he said.

Despite their narrow defeat, Mwira Queens head coach Faith Onyango remained optimistic.

"In every game there must be a winner and a loser. This defeat has shown us our loopholes and we are going to work on them before the next competition," she said.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba remains one of Kenya's leading youth football development programmes, offering county, regional and national competition with top teams competing for cash prizes while outstanding players earn scholarships and international exposure through the tournament's All-Star programme.