Archbishop Njenga inch closer to Under-19 national football title

Wiyeta Secondary School's Rose Makuto challenges Sega High School's Faith Wanza (left) during the 10th Edition of Copa Coca Cola Kenya Secondary Schools Sports games at The Hill School, Eldoret on Wednesday July 25, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former girls' Under-19 football champions Archbishop Njenga yesterday reached the semi-finals in the national secondary schools Term Two games at Hill School, Eldoret.

They defeated Matuu Memorial 7-0 in their second Group A encounter to book a place in tomorrow’s semis.

Defending champions Wiyeta Girls lost 1-0 to Kwale Girls in the other pool encounter. Hat-tricks from Brenda Masibo and Lavendar Murumwa inspired Archbishop Njenga to the huge win.

Violet Wanyonyi also got her name on the score sheet with a late volley.

The 2011 winners began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Kwale Girls from Coast on Tuesday and now have six points top of Group A ahead of their last match against Wiyeta today.

Hat-trick heroine Masibo said their aim is to make a memorable return after many years out in the cold.

“We have achieved our first target of reaching the semis and this gives us the confidence of going all the way and reclaim the title,” Madibo said. 

Wiyeta, on the other hand, face a huge task to reach the last four. Having recorded a resounding 11-0 over Matuu Memorial in their opening match, the seven-time champions were stunned by a Kwale side that controlled the better part of the match before claiming the three points courtesy of Elizabeth Katungwa’s first half strike.

Wiyeta wasted their chances in the second half to draw level as Kwale hang on for the precious win.

Kwale coach Mukasa Amboko is confident they can secure a place in the last four with a win against bottom-placed Matuu.

“It is so amazing to defeat the national and East African champions and I congratulate the girls for following the game plan," said Amboko. 

"We cut the supply to their strikers and this made it comfortable for us."

Wiyeta will need to win against the group leaders to assure themselves a place in the semis.

In the boys’ matches, Nairobi’s Dagoretti secured their first win of the competition after defeating North Eastern’s Tarbaj 9-0 to move top of Group B with four points.

They are now level on points with Coast’s Shimba Hills, who drew 1-1 with Olbolsat from Central Region. 

Finlay Osoro struck a  first half hat-trick for debutants Dagoretti, with Boniface Mwangemi hitting a brace. Marko Deng, Joshua Onyango, Simon Omondi and Gilbert Omondi also weighed in with a goal each.

Dagoretti, who drew 1-1 with Olbolsat in the first game, need just one point in their last game against Shimba Hills today to seal a last four slot.

Olbolsat and Shimba Hills also have a chance of reaching the semis, while Tarbaj are out of the running after two straight losses.

In the Under-16 football matches, 2016 boys’ winners St Anthony’s Kitale qualified for the semis after a 2-1 win over Coast’s Kinondo to make it two victories in pool B. 

The Rift Valley Region team beat Olbolsat 2-1 in their opener on Tuesday and will face Upper Hill in their last pool match today. 

In the girls’ matches, Waa defeated Matedel Mua 3-1 as Moi Girls Nangili hit Tartar 1-0 in Group B.