East Africa games: Kwanthanze retain volleyball title in East Africa games

Kwanthanze retain volleyball title in East Africa games

Kwanthanze retained the Brookside East Africa girls’ volleyball title after beating home girls GS Indagaburezi 3-0 in the finals yesterday in Musanze.

It was sweet victory for the Kenyan girls who avenged on their 2015 loss to the Rwandans.

With the victory, Kwanthanze earned their fourth regional title having won the 2013, 2014 and 2017 titles.

An ecstatic Kwanthanze captain Gladys Ekaru praised her charges saying their efforts had paid dividends.

“We all wanted this title and worked hard to make sure that we achieve our targets.

"We were determined to make it happen and won the trophy as a result of our hard work, determination, dedication and teamwork,” Ekaru said.

Not even the thunderous Rwandan fans could stop the Kenyan girls from controlling the court, taking 25-22. The home girls tried to fight back but Kwanthanze overwhelmed them.

They snatched the second set 25-22 before easing to victory 25-19 breaking the hearts of the Rwandans who were eyeing their third regional crown.

Cheptil beat IPRC Kigali 3-0 in third place playoffs to retain the bronze medal they won last year in Gulu, Uganda.

In the boys' contest, it will be the battle of former champions as Kenya’s Malava take on Rwanda’s St Joseph’s in today’s final. This will be a repeat of the 2015 final which the Rwandans won in 3-1.

In girls' football, national champions Kwale will be out to ensure that the trophy Wiyeta won last year returns home as they face off with last year’s finalists Kawempe Muslimi in today’s finals at Ubworoherane Stadium.

The Coastal students dismissed Uganda’s Mukono High School 3-0 in yesterday’s semi as Kawempe sent packing 2016 winners GS Remera 5-3 on post-match penalties in the semis.

The boys’ football final will be a Uganda versus Rwanda affair as Buddo take on Lycee de Kigali (LDK).

Kakamega High’s Green Commandos, who won bronze last year, will once again battle for bronze against Uganda’s BS Kimanya after losing 2-0 to LDK in the semi-finals. [Elizabeth Mburugu]