Nyakach, Dagoreti and Wiyeta storm into finals

Aoko Lanoline of Nyakach girls (white) with Adhiambo Sophia of Itigo Girls during the Kenya Secondary Schools Association Term Two national ball games in Kisumu County on July 31th 2019. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Itigo. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Nyakach Girls edged out last year’s finalist Arch Bishop Njenga 2-0 to reach the Kenya Secondary Schools National Term Two under 19 girls’ football finals yesterday in Kisumu.

Mercy Akoth scored two goals to hand the Nyanza region champions their maiden chance of winning the national title and the opportunity of representing the country at the East African games in Arusha.

Nyakach will now face Rift Valley champions Itigo Girls who thrashed Njabini 4-0 courtesy of Daisy Cherop, Martha Amunyolete and Vicky Korir’s double in the second half.

Chrispin Odindo, the Nyakach Girls head coach, congratulated the girls asking them to remain focussed ahead of the finals that will be a repeat of their pool A clash.

Nyakach lost 1-0 to Itigo during their pool matches and Odindo warned his team to be clinical and precise during the finals if they are to be crowned the new champions.

“Itigo is a strong team. They are aggressive from defense to their attack. We have to play a clinical game where we have to utilize our chances and score early. In our last match, they defended most of the game after they scored so we have to disorient them,” he said.

In under 16 show, Jamila Amida’s goal fired Wiyeta into the finals where they will meet Maeni Girls who knocked out Njabini 2-0 courtesy of Noula Oseko’s brace.

In boys’ under 19, Dagoreti Mixed continued their impressive run as they posted four straight wins after thumping last year finalists Olbolsat 3-1.

Paul Odhiambo, Simon Omondi and Daniel Omondi were on target for the Nairobi champions who will face St Antony’s Kitale who had to leave it late to beat Ebwali 6-5 in penalties.

“We are ready for the finals. Our goal is to win the title now and congratulations to the boys,” James Makoha, Dagoreti coach said.

Koyonzo ended Boystown impressive run knocking them out 3-1 in penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw in normal time.

The Western junior champions will take on Serani, who beat Dagoreti Mixed in the under 16 boys’ competition yesterday.