Uasin Gishu’s Tumkas and Nandi based Itigo girls retained their North Rift Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom titles during the finals played over the weekend in Eldoret.
Itigo from Nandi County edged out Santa Maria girls from Elgeyo Marakwet to book for the Rift Valley championships to be held this weekend in Eldoret.
Sharon Moraa scored the only goal in the 34th minute to earn them a ticket for the regional championships.
Head coach Hinox Kitam said that defending the title was not easy since Santa Maria has been a very competitive team all through.
“The win has to be celebrated and defending our title was not a walk in the park but hard work. Now that we have qualified to the regions, our target is to qualify for the nationals,” said Kitam.
Last year, they lost at the regional finals in the hands of Kitale Ladies who went ahead to claim the national title.
“This time we are well prepared in readiness for the national championships. I know it will not be easy at the regions but we are all set,” added Kitam.
At the semi-finals, Itigo were 3-0 winners over their hosts Plateau girls with two goals from Moraa and Claudia Kadenge netting a goal to sail to the finals.
Tumkas, who also lost to Al Ahly at the regional will be hoping to end the jinx as they target a national play.
Led by Peter Tanui, Tumkas defeated Chemase form Nandi boys 2-1 at the finals.
Brian Kipruto broke the deadlock in the 20th minute before Alvin Kipkogei sealing the victory in the 53rd minute for Uasin Gishu based team to book for a slot.
Tanui said they managed to beat one of the best side hoping for better results in the regionals.
“The tournament had good teams and us emerging top was because of our level of preparedness,” said Tanui.
At the semis, they defeated Kayodester from Nandi 3-0