Kenyans register mixed results as games kick-off

Kesogon Secondary School volleyball players in action against Kwanthanze Girls during their match at Kisii School. [File, Standard]

Former girls' volleyball champions Kwathanze on Thursday made their intentions to recapture the title known as this year's Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games got underway in Kakamega.

Kwanthanze who are keen to reclaim the title they lost to compatriots Kesogon Secondary School last year registered a straight sets win over Kajunjumele Secondary School from Tanzania in Group A.

The record East Africa champions showed no mercy at they won the match at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) ground.

The Kenyan girls started well taking the first set 25-18 but the visitors would recover to engage them in a neck-to-neck set two battle that the homegirls triumphed 30-28.

The Tanzanians seemed to have given up the fight allowing Kwanthanze to carry the day 25-11. Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said that he was happy with the good start but they didn't expect the Tanzanian team to push them hard.

"First match victory is always good because it boosts player confidence. We played well though we didn't expect the Tanzanian team to come out strong and push us. However, it only proves that we should be prepared for stiff competition because there are no pushovers," Kigwari said.

In Group B, rivals Bishop Sulumeti and St Martha's Mwitoti clashed in an-all-Kenyan affair. Their Kakamega County and Western Region rivalry came into play with national bronze medalists Sulumeti triumphing 25-15, 25-20 and 25-17.

In another Group B tie, champions Kesogon made light work of Uganda's Tororo Girls humbling them 25-0, 25-6 and 25-13 to launch their title defence on a high note.

Kesogon coach John Marani said that the work had just started. "This was our first match and we can't assume that all the games will be easy. We were stronger than them but we must remain focused and keep fighting because our title is at stake."

In football, national champions Butere Girls High School who are looking to upgrade from last year's silver medal were held to a barren draw by Uganda's Amus College in Group B.

In another Group B encounter Kobala Girls played to a 1-1 stalemate against Tanzania's Fountain Gate Secondary School.

It was a day of draws for the Kenyan sides as Madira Girls and Nasokol Girls also played to goalless draws in Group A. Madira girls were up against former East Africa champions Kawempe Muslim from Uganda while Nasokol clashed with Alliance Secondary School from Tanzania.

In boys football, Bukedea Comprehensive edged out record East Africa winners St Mary's Kitende 2-1 in Group B while defending champions Amus College suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to compatriots Buddo Secondary School Group A.

National champions St Joseph's Boys High School Kitale and Musingu High School will launch their campaigns on Friday.