By Oscar Pilipili
Champions Tononoka and Mavumbo will clash in theboys’ football final in Coast Province Airtel Rising Stars Secondary Schools Championships.
Tononoka beat Redeemed Academy 1-0 with a 35th minute goal from Hassan Juma to claim a final berth and keep live their dream of returning to the nationals for the second successive time.
Mavumbo outclassed Faza 2-0 to set a final date with Tononoka during the provincials held at Shimo La Tewa High Friday.
To reach the semis, Tononoka scored two goals in the first half and added one more in the next 45 minutes to defeat Likoni 3-0 in an entertaining boys’ football quarter-final tie.
Ronald Juma and Ahmed Mafudh scored one goal apiece to give Tononoka 2-0 half-time lead before Ahmed Swaleh sealed the fate of Likoni when he scored his team’s third goal in the 64th minute.
Tononoka surprised everyone when they finished runners-up behind ultimate winners Gekomoni last year.
Tononoka coach Mathias Jefwa said: “The team is not as strong like it was last year but we’re trying our best to qualify for the nationals.”
Redeemed Academy beat Muyeya 2-1 to join Tononoka to reach the semis.
Redeemed, who did not feature in last year’s games, upset Msambweni champions Ramisi to qualify for the provincial Championships.
curtain raiser
Mavumbo overcame Marifano 2-0, while Faza defeated Serani 2-1 with an extra time goal after 1-1 draw deadlock in normal and regular time to qualify for the semis.
In girls’ volleyball, Shujaa Mekatilini beat Msambweni 3-0 while defending champions Bura breezed past Kwale 3-1 in quarter-final matches to reach the semi-finals.
The provincials could be described as curtain raiser to the nationals which will be held at same venue on August 6-12. In Kitui High, Kibirichia and Kathungi boys’ football teams were the first to qualify for the semi-finals following victories in preliminaries.
Kibirichia beat Matinyani 5-0 and recorded their second victory with a labored 2-0 victory against Mwala in some of the matches played.
Kathungi beat St Cyprian 2-0 and went ahead to eliminate Nchiuri 3-1 to secure a semi-final slot.
In girls’ football, Gikumbeni beat Sengani 1-0, Chogoria defeated Itoleta 3-1, while Mbarasani hit Isiolo 8-0 during Eastern Province Airtel Rising Stars Championships.
The regional championships reach the climax today with all the six province s – Central, Western, Eastern, Nairobi, Rift Valley and Coast staging their finals.
Kapenguria Boys High hosts Rift Valley Championships today, while Central will have their event at Kigio.
