Ebwali Boys captain Derrick Oketch said winning the Safaricom Chapa Dimba national title redeemed the team after failing to go past the sub county during the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association games.
Ebwali were the Vihiga county, regional and national champions.
“After crashing out of the school games, we focused on Chapa Dimba. We play national standard football and that is why, as much as we lost in the school games, we are here to prove our critics wrong,” said the 18-year-old.
Speaking after leading Ebwali to the Chapa Dimba Western region title, Oketch said: “Our mission in this tournament is to win the national title, which will redefine our journey as we seek to regain our titles next years,” said Oketch.
Ebwali edged Bungoma’s Compel Sportif through Austin Odongo's solitary free-kick goal in the 47th minute.
Brenda Girls from Bungoma, who were eliminated at the Western region school games, won the Chapa Dimba girls' title.
Brenda were 2-1 win over the region's defending champions Lugari Progressive of Kakamega.
Esther Wafula and Esther Mukhwana scored for the champions in the 15th and 94th minutes respectively as captain Marion Musanga scored a consolation goal for Lugari Progressive in the 75th minute.
Ebwali Boys and Brenda Girls will represent the region at the national championships in January next year.
On Saturday, Ebwali defeated Kakamega’s The Menace 3-2 while Brenda were 4-1 winners against Chakol Mix 4-1.
Compel Sportif and Lugari Progressive had booked their slots in the finals after defeating John Osogo 5-3 on penalties, and Maroon Queens 3-0 respectively in the semi-finals played on Saturday.
