Chapa Dimba: Bandari Youth, Young Gunners set for epic final

Mombasa’s Bandari Youth and their counterparts Changamwe Ladies have advanced to the regional finals set for Sunday, at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa after winning in their respective semi-final matches played Saturday.

Playing against Taita Taveta’s Bahati Juniors, Bandari Youth took the lead in the 35th minute through William Gitamu, who scored a delightful, solitary goal to earn them a 1-0 victory. They will face The Young Gunners from Tana River County, who advanced by winning 4-2 against King Loyal FC from Lamu won a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regular time, in a tough match witnessed by hundreds of fans from the region.

"I am glad that we have advanced to the finals, where we will be facing Bandari Youth after winning our game in a penalty shootout. Reaching this level is something we don’t take for granted, as in the last edition, we were knocked out at the county level. Today’s game was not easy as King Loyal is also a tough team, but again, I believe our solid defense worked out for us as we denied them a lot of chances," said Kassim Rhage, the assistant coach of Young Gunners.

Elsewhere, the defending regional champions Changamwe Ladies’ quest to retain the title in the girls’ category remained alive after silencing Ukunda Starlets from Kilifi 4-1. Margaret Nafula scored a brace, with Leah Chebet and Diana Mkando each scoring a goal. Ukunda’s consolation goal was scored by Mwaka Grace.

Coach Benard Owuor’s girls will now square it out with their archrivals Bulls Starlets from Kilifi. In the opening match, Bulls Starlets edged out Wenje Secondary from Tana River 7-0 in what seemed like a one-sided semi-final. Gloria Mupa, in outstanding form, netted five goals for her side with Sarah Grace and Fatuma Tumaini each scoring one goal.

The winners (boys’ and girls’ team) will take home Ksh. 250,000 and book a slot to represent the region at the national finals set for March. The runners-up teams will take home Ksh. 150,000 each. The Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player (boys and girls) will each receive Ksh. 30,000. In addition to the prize money each player, both winners and runners-up will also get Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphone in Kenya.