Schools: Laiser Hill Academy ready for Rift Valley games

Laiser Hills' Augustine Omondi vies for the ball with Passenga Secondary School's James Maina (right) during Secondary School Game match at Kisumu Boys High Schoo, Kisumu County on August 4, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Laiser Hill Academy are not taking any chances in boys’ football when Rift Valley Region secondary schools Term Two B games start today in Kabarnet.

Coach Anthony Kirimi said it would be tricky and tough to predict the outcome of any match, especially after playing in the defunct Metropolitan Region for the past five years.

“We cannot predict the outcome of any match and do not know our opponents since we are making a comeback to this region after a spell of five years. However, we are equal to the task and will take each match as it comes,” Kirimi told Standard Sports.

Laiser Hill are in Pool B together with Chemase of Nandi, Olmolon of Laikipia, and Aiyebo of Baringo.

However, they will have to contend with the likes of former national champions St Anthony’s Kitale and little-known Nakuru County champions, Spotlight Academy.

St Anthony’s and Spotlight are in Pool A alongside Oloolunga of Narok. Spotlight head coach James Bosire said they would be wary of the experienced sides as they carry their unbeaten record to the regional championships.

“We are determined to reach the final and win the title. We want to play at the national finals,” said Bosire.

Spotlight will peg their hopes for glory on goalkeeper and captain Rodgers Ogonda and right winger Kevin Asilikwa. The side has been boosted by the arrival of three key players: John Korir, Kennedy Langat, and Simon Ndirangu, who were in Dar es Salaam for the SportPesa Super Cup with Nakuru All Stars. They lost 2-0 in the semifinals to champions Gor Mahia.

Bosire has churned out top footballers such as Gor Mahia striker John ‘Softy’ Ndirangu, Boniface Akenga of Nakumatt, and Kennedy Owino of Kenya Commercial Bank.

Pool C has Kibungut of Bomet, Mobasi of Kericho, and Ortum of West Pokot, while Pool D has AGC Lokichar of Turkana, Mwiritu of Uasin Gishu, and Wamba of Samburu.

In girls’ football, Wiyeta of Trans Nzoia are tipped to win the title, but will have to contend with AIC Kosirai of Nandi and Moi Kapcherop of Elgeyo Marakwet. Wiyeta are in Pool B with Kilgoris of Narok and Siwot of Nakuru.

Pool A has Laikipia’s Gateru, Poiywek of Kericho, and Entarara of Kajiado, while Pool C has Plateau of Uasin Gishu, Kisima of Samburu, Moi Kapcherop of Elgeyo Marakwet, and Our Lady’s Girls Secondary Kakuma of Turkana. [Ben Ahenda]