National Finals of the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Youth Tournament kicked off today with quarterfinal games played at Kinoru Stadium and ASK Showgrounds in Meru County.

The girls’ quarterfinals saw Acakoro Ladies from Nairobi score 3:2 against Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza with Barcelona Ladies from Central netting 4:0 against St Marys’ Ndovea from Eastern. Bishop Njenga Girls from Western did not turn up for the games due to prior commitments elsewhere giving Kitale Queens from Rift Valley a walk over to the semis.  Changamwe Ladies from Coast also got a bye to the semis, as there was no girls’ team from North Eastern.

Acakoro Ladies will therefore face Changamwe Ladies as Barcelona Ladies face Kitale Queens in the Semis tomorrow.

“We’ve had a good victory today. The matches were tough but the girls were tactical and focused. Our opponents had more physique and well-built but we played a more tactical game.  We never underestimated our opponent and that has always been our secret to success. We look forward for another victory tomorrow in the semis,” said Pauline Awuor, Coach Acakoro Ladies.

In the boys’ quarterfinals, Al Ahly from Rift won 3:1 against Berlin FC from North Eastern as South B United from Nairobi beat Shimanzi Youth from Coast 1:0.

Lugari Blue Saints from Western also booked a space in the semis after scoring 3:0 against Super Solico from Eastern. Nyanza Champions Manyatta United scored 4:1 against Euronuts from Central to book their slot in the semis as well.

South B United will face Al-Ahly as Lugari Blue Saints prepare to face Manyatta United in the semis set for Saturday.

“Our win today is as a result of hard work and team spirit. The game was tough but we made it. Our focus is to win the finals and be the champions,” said Oscar Kengwa, striker – Al-Ahly FC.

The winners of the quarterfinals pocketed KES 250,000 cash reward each and will now proceed to the semifinals set for Friday and Saturday. The girls will play their semifinals on Friday (tomorrow) while the boys will play on Saturday.

SCORERS -Girls

Acakoro Ladies 3:2 Ndhiwa Queens 

Acakoro Ladies (3)

• Sylvia Makhungu – 45^th & 53^rd Minute
• Catherine Awuor- 58^th Minute

Ndhiwa Queens (2 goals)

• Susan Odindi – 7^th & 50^th Minute

  Barcelona Ladies 4:0 St Marys Ndovea

Barcelona Ladies (4)

• Jane Njeri -29^th , 39^th , 89^th & 90^th  Minutes

 SCORERS -Boys

1. Lugari Blue Saints 3:0 Super Solico

Lugari Blue Saints

• Anami Watson – 2^nd Minute
• Dennis Atsenga – 34^th & 46^th Minutes

2. South B United 1:0 Shimanzi Youth

South B United (1)

• Mwendwa Victor– 88^th   Minute

3. Berlin FC 1:3 Al-Ahly

Al-Ahly (3)

• Suheib Jamal  – 6^th Minute
• Oscar Kengwa  – 83^rd & 95^th Minute

Berlin FC (1)

•  Abdirashid Ali Abdi – 25^th Minute (Penalty)

Manyatta United 4:1 Euronuts

Manyatta United (4)

• Benson Ochieng– 2^nd & 72^nd Minutes
• Mark Ochieng’ – 26^th & 49^th Minutes

Euronuts (1)

• Lual Mengitsu- 62^nd Minute