Laiser Hill Academy from Kajiado were crowned Rift Valley champions of the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament after beating Kapenguria Heroes from West Pokot in the finals in Kericho at the weekend.

The champions edged out Kapenguria 4-2 through penalties after both teams had settled for a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Kericho Green Stadium.

Kapenguria drew first blood when Samson Tanui scored in the eighth  minute and they had a chance to increase their tally in the 31st minute only for striker Alfred Tanui to miss a penalty which was brilliantly saved by Laiser Hill Academy custodian James Muimi.

After the half-time break, the former national secondary schools champions put up a spirited fight and leveled the scores when Sharriff Majabe scored through a spot kick after he was brought down in the box in the 78th minute.

The match was then forced into penalties and the winners converted their spot kicks through Sharriff Majabe, Byron Otieno, Timothy Ouma and Abdulrazak Hassan while Kapenguria Heroes scored via Morgan Ekamais and Stephen Orare.

Laiser Hill Academy head coach Anthony Kirimi said his team had to use all tricks in the book to down their opponents who had proved a tough nut to crack.

“We had to frustrate them and this worked for us as we took control of the proceedings in the second half though we missed clear scoring chances,” said Kirimi, while promising to improve all departments ahead of the national finals slated for Mombasa in June.

In the girls competition, favourites and former East Africa secondary schools champions Wiyeeta from West Pokot clinched the ticket to the national bonanza after thrashing perennial rivals Itigo from Nandi County 3-0.

Wiyeta finished the game in the first half with Edna Wanda (11th minute), Jacinta Karemana (34th minute) and Shaylene Opisa (45th minute) on target.

Kericho Deputy Governor Susan Kikwai, who was among the fans at the stadium, feels being chosen to host the finals is a major endorsement to their efforts to boost sports in the county.

“We thank the organisers of this football extravaganza for choosing Kericho to host the important sporting event.”