School games: Fierce battle as big shots chase slots to nationals

Upper Hill School’s Larry Ananda (left) and Hamisi Ngadi of Olympic Secondary School at Moi Girls School in Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions will no doubt fight for survival as this year’s Nairobi Region Term Two games enter the quarter-final stage at Dagoretti High and Lenana School today.

With many big names falling by wayside, the reigning champions must be at their best as they seek to retain their titles and also secure places at next month’s National Term Two games set for Kisumu. Boys under 19 holders Dagoretti High will capitalise on home advantage when they take on Aquinas in their last eight clash.

Dagoretti are out to extend their fine run from last weekend’s Group A matches. They beat Sunflower 5-0 before sealing top spot in the pool with a 3-0 win over Our Lady of Fatima. Dagoretti captain Boniface Mwangemi said they are keen to secure their second appearance at the national games.

“We are determined to play at the national games again. We have been working hard to make sure that we achieve our goal and we are eager to make a second appearance at the nationals,” Mwangemi said.

In other matches, two-time national champions Upper Hill will take on Langata, former national champions Kamukunji will meet Nairobi School at Lenana while Jamhuri tackle Brown Hill at Dagoretti High. Upper Hill are seeking to reclaim the city trophy and return to nationals after one year absence.

In boys under 16 contest, champions Upper Hill battle Moi Forces Academy at Lenana School. Upper Hill are seeking to win the regional title and make their third attempt to win the national crown.

But they need to be at their best as Dagoretti High - who have since snatched rugby 15s, basketball and under 19 football titles - are also itching for glory.

Upper Hill made their intentions to defend their junior title with identical 3-0 win over Sunshine and Dandora Secondary before beating Jamhuri 4-0 in the preliminaries. Dagoretti will take on Ofafa Jericho, Uhuru tackle Waylight while hosts Lenana entertain Langata in other under 16 quarter-final matches.

Olympic Mixed will defend girls' under 19 and 16 football titles against St Anne’s and Our Lady of Mercy at Dagoretti High respectively.

At Lenana, former under 19 national winners Maina Wanjigi will take on Loreto as Kariobangi North clash with Dagoretti Mixed while Huruma Girls battle Kamukunji at Dagoretti. Last year’s under 16 finalists Dagoretti Mixed square it out with Starehe. Ruai Girls will meet Highridge while Pangani Girls take on Buruburu.

In volleyball, defending champions Langata High and Soweto Academy strive to hold a firm grip. Soweto are keen to extend their dominance to four years in a row.