Safaricom Links Chapa Dimba Season 5 to Education, Professional Football Pathways and Early Talent Grooming

Safaricom has launched Season 5 of Safaricom Chapa Dimba with a strengthened focus on turning grassroots football into a structured development pipeline that connects education, elite training, and professional opportunities for young players.

The tournament, launched in Kisumu, will now target a younger age group of 15 to 18 years, a deliberate shift aimed at identifying talent earlier and integrating players into structured football development systems before they reach senior levels.

A key feature of the new season is the creation of a direct international pathway through the Gothia Cup in Sweden. An All-Star team of 32 players will be selected to represent Kenya at the global tournament, marking a transition from previous international bootcamp programmes to competitive international exposure.

The move is expected to give young Kenyan players more visibility on the global stage while exposing them to higher levels of competition.

Education remains central to the programme, with Safaricom announcing that 150 top-performing players will receive tertiary scholarships under the Citizens of the Future initiative. The scholarships are intended to ensure that young athletes pursue academic advancement alongside their football careers.

Speaking during the launch, Peter Ndegwa said the programme is designed to build complete individuals, not just athletes.

“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.

Safaricom also announced a major expansion of technology use in talent identification, introducing VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices from the county-level competitions. These will complement AI-powered GPS vests already in use.

The technology will capture detailed player performance data, including movement patterns, speed, positioning, and match intensity, while generating digital profiles that can be accessed by scouts, coaches, and clubs locally and internationally.

“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 competition will run across eight regions nationwide and follow a five-stage structure: ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level, and national finals.

Registration for both boys’ and girls’ teams is ongoing via Safaricom Chapa Dimba
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At the national finals, winning teams in both categories will each receive KES 1 million, while additional rewards will be awarded at county and regional levels. Individual honours will also be given for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.

Since its inception in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has developed into a key grassroots talent pipeline, producing players such as Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa and Mercy Akoth, several of whom have gone on to play in professional leagues and represent Kenya in international competitions.