Chapa Dimba Season 5 Positions Youth Football as a Tech-Driven Talent Pipeline

Safaricom has rolled out Season 5 of Safaricom Chapa Dimba with a stronger emphasis on technology, structured talent pathways, and long-term player development linking grassroots football to global opportunities.

The tournament, launched in Kisumu, is being repositioned as more than a competition, but as a structured talent pipeline that integrates education, sports science, and international exposure for young players across Kenya.

A key highlight of the new season is the introduction of an international pathway to the Gothia Cup in Sweden, where 32 standout players will form an All-Star team representing Kenya. This replaces earlier international bootcamp models, with Safaricom shifting toward participation in competitive global tournaments.

The company has also expanded its education-focused intervention, announcing that 150 outstanding players will benefit from tertiary scholarships under the Citizens of the Future programme.

Speaking during the launch, Peter Ndegwa said the initiative is designed to create a complete development ecosystem for young talent.

“We are intentionally building pathways that combine sports, education, and technology to empower the next generation. Our goal is not just to develop footballers, but to nurture well-rounded young people who can positively transform their communities and the country”, said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.

Beyond competition and scholarships, Safaricom is accelerating its use of sports technology in scouting and performance tracking. The company confirmed that it will deploy enhanced scouting tools, including VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices, starting from the county level of competition.

This builds on last season’s introduction of AI-powered GPS vests and is aimed at deepening data-driven talent identification. The technology will track key performance indicators such as player movement, positioning, sprint intensity, and match performance, while creating digital football profiles for players.

“This season, we are taking technology deeper into grassroots football because we believe no talent should go unnoticed. Through data and digital player profiling, we are creating more structured pathways for young players to access opportunities locally and globally,” added Ndegwa.

The tournament structure will cover eight regions across the country and will be played in five progressive stages: ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level, and national finals.

Registration for both boys’ and girls’ teams remains open through the official Safaricom Chapa Dimba website Safaricom Chapa Dimba.

At the national level, winning teams in both categories will each receive KES 1 million. Additional prizes will be awarded at county and regional levels, alongside individual recognitions for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.

Since its inception in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has emerged as a key talent incubator, producing players such as Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marion Serenge, and Mercy Akoth, some of whom have gone on to feature in top-tier local leagues and international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.