KALOLENI OFF TO WINNING START: Mwanahalima leads St John’s to victory over Rwandese side

Esther Kwendu (left) of kenya's St. John's Kaloleni Secondary School vies for the ball possesion against Albertine Murashema of GS Remere of Rwanda during their East Afrca Secondary School Games football match at Kipchoge Stadium, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on August 28, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Chasing their first East Africa secondary schools football title, Kenya’s St John’s Kaloleni delivered when it mattered most.

That they won their opening match of the annual championships here in Eldoret was never in doubt, but how the Kenyans obliterated their opponents, Rwanda’s GS Rimera, was the talking point.

On the second day of the games yesterday at the Kipkeino Stadium, Kaloleni knew what was expected of them and they did not disappoint. Captain Mwanahalima Adams was the destroyer-in-chief. Her tiny body frame belied her exploits in the midfield as she took on her opponents with military resolve.

When she was not dancing her way through her markers, she was weaving through forests of legs.

Her passes were pintpoint, her vision second to none and her pace just blistering.

That was Mwanahalima — Harambee Starlets’ player. She knew her role in the team and wasted no time to prove just that.

Despite flashes of brilliance from Rwanda’s captain Calixte Iradukunda, Kaloleni looked the more composed side for the better part of the game.

Hellen Ochieng did so with much ease and delight. Her fierce shot in the 23rd minute that bounced off the cross-bar and Jackline Baya’s pulsating moves in both halves, confirmed Kenya’s intention of maintaining a good run in the games. Since 2002, Kenya has lifted the titles an impressive nine times.

Despite the win, Kaloleni lost their first-choice goalkeeper, Margaret Nzaro, who limped off injured in the 60th minute. Her replacement, Jeanine Njoroge, didnt have enough time to settle as Iradukunda lobbed over Rimera’s consolation. The visitors were gaining confidence with every move. Rwanda’s Dorothe Mukeshimana almost ensured parity deep in the second half, but Mwanahalima, playing as a utility player, was not moved, clearing to safety.

That’s how invaluable Mwanahalima was to Kaloleni. To her, the journey to stardom has just started.

“This was not our best but we will strive and work on a few mistakes especially in defence. We were aiming for maximum points and we are happy we bagged them. We now focus on our next match,” said Mwanahalima.