Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes will fly Kakamega County’s flag at the Western Regional Finals after winning the girls’ and boys’ titles respectively in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba county championships.
Lugari Progressive, popularly known as Archbishop Njenga Girls, extended their dominance in the girls’ competition by retaining the Kakamega County title for a fifth consecutive year.
The defending champions overcame perennial finalists Red Commandos, also known as Butere Girls, 3-0 on penalties after the two sides played to a goalless draw in regulation time at the Approved School Grounds in Kakamega.
The closely contested encounter saw both teams create opportunities, but neither could find the decisive goal. Red Commandos came closest to breaking the deadlock late in the match when an effort struck the crossbar.
The stalemate forced the contest into a penalty shootout, where Lugari Progressive held their nerve.
Goalkeeper Shamsi Pachanga proved decisive, saving two penalties, while another Red Commandos attempt went wide to hand the defending champions a 3-0 victory.
“Retaining the county title for the fifth time in a row is not easy. Butere Girls were really tough, and I will personally admit they gave us a run for our money,” said Lugari Progressive head coach Fred Serenge.
Serenge praised Pachanga for her performance and said the team would now shift its attention to the regional competition.
“Our focus now shifts to the regional finals coming up in a week, and there we hope to make Kakamega proud,” he said.
Green Buffaloes make history
In the boys’ category, Green Buffaloes of Khwisero secured their maiden Safaricom Chapa Dimba Kakamega County title after defeating Holy Cross Injira Senior School 2-1.
Green Buffaloes opened the scoring through Moses Muruka, who converted a well-delivered corner from Peter Mukolwe.
The Khwisero side doubled its advantage before the interval after Augustine Khakali turned the ball into his own net.
Holy Cross Injira Senior School mounted a second-half comeback, with Ransley Nasiali pulling one goal back.
Green Buffaloes, however, held on to their lead despite sustained pressure to seal a historic county triumph and secure qualification for the Western Regional Finals.
Head coach Ian Omukuba hailed the achievement as a major turnaround for the team after last season’s early elimination.
“We are really excited. It is the first time we are lifting the Safaricom Chapa Dimba County trophy. Last year, we were knocked out in the round of 16, but this year we came prepared and my boys delivered,” Omukuba said.
He added that the team was confident of competing against the strongest sides from across the region.
“We are going for the win and will make sure Kakamega County takes the regional trophy,” he said.
Regional showdown awaits
The two Kakamega champions will compete at the Western Regional Finals scheduled for August 15 and 16 at Masinde Muliro Stadium, Kanduyi, Bungoma.
They will be joined by champions from Busia, Vihiga and Bungoma. Busia will be represented by Chakol Queens and Musokoto Secondary School, while Vihiga will send Vihiga Cranes and Blue Commandos. Bungoma’s representatives are Terem FC and Elgon Queens.
Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes each received KES 75,000 for winning their respective county titles, while runners-up Red Commandos and Holy Cross Injira Senior School were awarded KES 30,000 each.
The county finals also produced individual award winners. Walles Oweingaya and Shamsi Pachanga were named the Best Goalkeepers in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.
Green Buffaloes’ Moses Muruka and Ziporah Wanyonyi emerged as the boys’ and girls’ top scorers. Wanyonyi was also named Girls’ Most Valuable Player, while Atanas Ombasa won the Boys’ MVP award.
Each award winner received KES 10,000.
Wanyonyi and Ombasa will further receive fully funded tertiary education scholarships through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
With the county titles now secured, attention turns to Bungoma, where Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes will seek to convert their Kakamega success into regional glory.