The Safaricom Chapa Dimba Kakamega County defending champions, Lugari Progressive, popularly known as Bishop Njenga, will be out to retain their title this weekend when they take on Bushili Queens in the first semi-final at the Bukhungu Stadium.

The second girls’ semi-final will see The Phoenix Mukumu face Red Commandos, with the winners of both matches advancing to the county final.

In the boys’ contest, Shamberere will square off against Holy Cross Injira Senior School in the first semi-final, while Mumias Vipers will battle Green Buffaloes for the remaining spot in the final.

Lugari Progressive Academy head coach Fred Serenge believes his side is well prepared despite having little time to recover from the national school games, where the team secured a third-place finish.

“We are fresh from the National School Games, where we finished third. We are also the defending Safaricom Chapa Dimba Kakamega County champions and the reigning Western Region school games champions. We only have two days to prepare for the weekend matches, but we will use the experience we gained at the school games to ensure we retain our county title,” said Serenge.

The Kakamega County Finals come a week after the completion of the county championships in Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga. 

The winners will join Chakol Queens and Musokoto Secondary School from Busia, Vihiga Cranes and Blue Commandos from Vihiga, as well as Terem FC and Elgon Queens from Bungoma, who emerged as champions in their respective counties and will compete in the Western Regional Finals scheduled for August 15 and 16 at Kanduyi Stadium in Bungoma.

The winning boys’ and girls’ teams will each receive KES 75,000, while the runners-up will pocket KES 30,000 apiece. Individual awards will also be up for grabs, with the Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in both categories each receiving KES 10,000.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) will also receive KES 10,000 alongside a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and a monthly upkeep stipend, enabling the beneficiary to pursue a course of their choice at a public tertiary institution in Kenya.

Outstanding players will also form an All-Stars team that will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the world's largest youth football tournament, where they will compete against top international talent and gain exposure to scouts, academies, and professional clubs from around the world.