Kitale Queens and Al Ahly Youth are the winners of the Rift Valley Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom tournament that endedyesterday at the Eldoret Showground. The two sides will now represent the region at the national finals set for Meru in June.
Trans Nzoia-based Kitale Queens thrashed two-time East Africa Secondary School champions Itigo Girls while Al Ahly braved jeers from home fans to beat hosts Tumkas Youth.
Angelita Marondo netted a hat trick with Cynthia Livondo scoring a goal as Kitale Queens from North West Rift mercilessly thrashed Itigo 4-0.
Marondo opened the floodgates in the 35th minute before completing her brace 10 minutes later to give her team a 2-0 lead into break.
Marondo was on target again in the 69th minute before Livondo sealed the title in the 74th minute.
“We were committed to this course and the morale was good. What we need is the national title, nothing else,” said Libondo.
Head coach Justin Okiring cried foul following his top players being eliminated from first team.
“We had more challenges after my top five players were axed out for poor documentation but we managed to handle the pressure with a deserving win,” said Okiring.
Al Ahly keeper Marion Idd saved Alvin Kemboi’s penalty with Ramzy Murage, Idd, Abdirahim Mohammed scoring for the champions as Ahmed Khalif shot over bar to defeat Tumkas 3-1 in post match penalties after a barren draw in regular time.
George Anyera converted the only penalty for Tumkas as Joseph Gatho, Kevin Chelimo’s shots went over bar with Kemboi’s saved.
Tumkas was the first boys team to make it to the final following their 1-4 win against White Rhino from Central Rift. Lameck Ochieng scored hosts the lead in the third minute before Brian Kipruto doubled the lead in the 9th minute but William Leshon halved the score in the 22nd minute into break. On resumption, Geoffrey Sakwa tripled in the 65th before Alvin Kipkosgey’s 88th minute sealed the victory.
In the second semifinal, South Rift’s Al Ahly eliminated tournament favourites Solidarity Boys from Trans-Nzoia’s North West Rift 1-0 with Abdulrahman Abdullahi in the 11th minute.
Nandi’s Itigo Girls defeated Bomet Queens in the first semifinal 3-1 while Kitale Queens edged out Nakuru West Queens from Central Rift 2-0.
Holger Jepkorir scored the opener in the 18th minute before captain Mercy Tarus doubled and Vicky Korir sealed the victory before Windrose Chepkoech scored a consolation for Bomet in the 89th minute.
Kitale Queens won the second semifinal with goals from Philis Chemtai and Metrine Nanjala.
Others who have qualified for the nationals are Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints from Western, Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza as well as Super Solico and St Mary’s Ndovea from Eastern.
