🏆 LUGARI PROGRESSIVE RETAIN CHAPA DIMBA KAKAMEGA GIRLS’ TITLE AS GREEN BUFFALOES MAKE HISTORY

Green Buffaloes clinch maiden boys’ crown as Kakamega crowns its champions ahead of Western Regionals

KAKAMEGA, KENYA — Kakamega County has crowned its champions in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season 5 County Finals, with Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes emerging victorious in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively in a thrilling weekend of youth football.

The finals showcased the depth of football talent across Kakamega County, with intense competition, dramatic penalty shootouts and outstanding individual performances providing a fitting climax to the county tournament.

🏆 LUGARI PROGRESSIVE MAKE IT FIVE IN A ROW

In the eagerly anticipated girls’ final, Lugari Progressive, popularly known as Bishop/Archbishop Njenga Girls, played out a goalless draw against Red Commandos after normal time.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, the championship was decided from the penalty spot.

Lugari Progressive held their nerve to win the shootout 3–0, successfully defending their county crown and extending their remarkable run to five consecutive Chapa Dimba Kakamega County titles.

The spotlight was firmly on goalkeeper Shamsi Pachanga, who produced a sensational performance between the posts, saving two penalties to inspire her team to victory.

Pachanga was subsequently named the Girls’ Best Goalkeeper, capping a memorable tournament for the shot-stopper.

🥇 GREEN BUFFALOES MAKE HISTORY

The boys’ final produced another exciting contest as Green Buffaloes defeated Holy Cross Injira Senior School 2–1 to secure their maiden Chapa Dimba Kakamega County championship.

Green Buffaloes took control of the final through goals from Moses Muruka and an own goal by Augustine Khakali.

Holy Cross Injira responded through Ransley Nasiali, but Green Buffaloes held on to claim a historic victory and book their place in the Western Regional Finals.

The triumph marks a significant milestone for Green Buffaloes and underlines the growing competitiveness of youth football in Kakamega County.

⚽ SEMI-FINALS PRODUCE HIGH-INTENSITY ACTION

The road to the finals featured equally competitive semi-final encounters.

Girls’ Semi-Finals

Lugari Progressive 2–1 Bushili Queens
Red Commandos 2–0 The Phoenix Mukumu

Boys’ Semi-Finals

Green Buffaloes 3–2 Mumias Vipers
Holy Cross Injira 1–0 Shamberere

The results set up two compelling finals and demonstrated the quality and competitiveness of the Chapa Dimba programme across the county.

🌟 INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

The county finals also recognised some of the tournament’s outstanding performers.

Boys

🏅 Best Goalkeeper: Walles Oweingaya
⚽ Top Scorer: Moses Muruka
🏆 MVP / Golden Ball: Atanas Ombasa

Girls

🏅 Best Goalkeeper: Shamsi Pachanga
⚽ Top Scorer: Ziporah Wanyonyi
🏆 MVP / Golden Ball: Ziporah Wanyonyi

Each individual award winner received KSh 10,000.

In addition, the two MVPs — Atanas Ombasa and Ziporah Wanyonyi — earned fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme, providing an important opportunity for them to pursue their education while continuing to develop their football careers.

🎙️ VOICES FROM THE FINALS

Safaricom Representative

“Chapa Dimba is more than a football tournament. It is a platform for identifying, nurturing and empowering young talent while creating opportunities that can transform the lives of young people. The performances we have witnessed in Kakamega demonstrate the incredible potential within our communities.”

The Safaricom representative further highlighted the importance of combining sporting opportunities with education and personal development, noting that initiatives such as the Citizens of the Future Programme can help young athletes build sustainable futures beyond the football pitch.

FKF National Office Representative

“The quality of football displayed throughout the Kakamega County competition is a strong indication of the talent available at grassroots level. Our responsibility is to ensure that these young players have a clear pathway from grassroots football to higher levels of the game.”

The FKF representative congratulated all participating teams, coaches, officials and organisers for contributing to a successful county competition.

FKF Kakamega Chairman — Jeff Mudembei

“We are extremely proud of the talent and competitive spirit displayed throughout the Chapa Dimba competition in Kakamega. Congratulations to Lugari Progressive for retaining the girls’ title and to Green Buffaloes for making history by winning their maiden boys’ championship.”

“As FKF Kakamega, we remain committed to strengthening grassroots football and creating pathways for young players to progress. Our county has immense football potential, and competitions such as Chapa Dimba give our young people the platform they deserve.”

Chairman Mudembei also congratulated the individual award winners and encouraged all participating teams to continue working hard, emphasising that the county finals should be viewed as another step in the players’ football journeys.

FKF Kakamega Youth Representative — Joseph Kubati

“The future of football in Kakamega is bright. What we have witnessed here is a clear demonstration that when young players are given the right platform, support and competitive environment, they can produce exceptional performances.”

“We congratulate every team that participated. For those who did not make it to the regional stage, this is not the end of the journey. It is an opportunity to go back, work harder and come back stronger in the next competition.”

The Youth Representative further encouraged schools, academies, clubs, coaches and parents to continue investing in youth football development.

🌍 KAKAMEGA BOOKS PLACE AT WESTERN REGIONAL FINALS

Following their county triumphs, Green Buffaloes will represent Kakamega County in the Boys’ category, while Lugari Progressive will carry the county’s flag in the Girls’ category at the Western Regional Finals.

The regional competition is scheduled for:

📅 15–16 August 2026
📍 Masinde Muliro Stadium, Kanduyi, Bungoma

The two Kakamega champions will face the best teams from across the Western Region as they battle for regional honours and an opportunity to progress further in the Chapa Dimba pathway.

💰 CHAPA DIMBA PRIZE MONEY

The county finals also came with significant financial rewards:

🏆 County Champions: KSh 75,000 each
🥈 County Runners-up: KSh 30,000 each

The financial rewards, together with individual awards and educational scholarships, reinforce the broader objective of Chapa Dimba — using football as a vehicle for talent development, education, opportunity and youth empowerment.

👏 FKF KAKAMEGA CONGRATULATES ALL PARTICIPANTS

Football Kenya Federation Kakamega congratulates Lugari Progressive, Red Commandos, Green Buffaloes and Holy Cross Injira Senior School for reaching the county finals, as well as every team that participated in the competition.

Special recognition goes to the players, coaches, referees, match officials, volunteers, schools, parents, supporters, Safaricom and all partners whose contribution made the Kakamega County competition possible.

As Kakamega now turns its attention to the Western Regional Finals, the county will proudly rally behind Green Buffaloes and Lugari Progressive as they seek to fly the Kakamega flag even higher.