Embu is set for a major youth football showdown as 16 teams from across the Eastern Region converge for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regionals from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The tournament will feature eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams competing for regional honours and a place at next year’s national finals.
The quarterfinals will be played on Friday at four venues: Nembure Grounds, Kamiu Grounds, Embu Showgrounds and the University of Embu Grounds. The semi-finals will follow on Saturday, before the boys’ and girls’ finals are held on Sunday at Moi Stadium, Embu.
In the girls’ competition, defending champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui will begin their title defence against hosts Royal Queens Academy of Embu at the University of Embu Grounds at 9 am.
Syomunyu Queens coach Amos Mulwa said his players are ready for the challenge despite the added pressure of defending their regional crown. He said the team expects every opponent to raise their game against the champions but remains focused on retaining the title.
Other girls’ quarterfinals will see Dakabaricha from Marsabit face Bridge Starlets of Isiolo at Embu Showgrounds. Meru’s Akuune Queens will meet MCF Starlets from Machakos at Nembure Grounds, while AIC Sultan Queens of Makueni take on Mugona Girls from Tharaka-Nithi at Kamiu Grounds.
The boys’ quarterfinals will begin at 11 am. Meru’s Makinduri Rockstars will face SMPI Academy from Kitui at Embu Showgrounds, while MAFA Academy of Isiolo takes on Kajiunduthi High School from Tharaka-Nithi at Kamiu Grounds.
At Nembure Grounds, hosts Black Cats Football Academy will face Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni. Golden Football Academy of Machakos will meet Abdary FC from Marsabit at the University of Embu Grounds.
Black Cats coach Sammy Githinji said playing at home has given his team extra motivation as it targets the regional title. Away from the matches, players and coaches will take part in development clinics covering financial literacy, data privacy, mental health and AI-powered vests.
The regional champions in both categories will each receive KES 250,000 and earn a place at the Safaricom Chapa Dimba National Finals early next year. Runners-up will each take home KES 150,000.
Individual prizes will also be awarded. The Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in each category will receive KES 30,000, while the Most Valuable Player will also get KES 30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
The Eastern Region campaign attracted 382 teams this season, including 272 boys’ and 110 girls’ teams. Meru recorded the highest number of registrations with 81 teams, followed by Machakos with 79, Marsabit 51, Isiolo 50, Kitui 47, Makueni 35, Tharaka-Nithi 21 and Embu 18.