Kakamega advance to semis as games enter homestretch

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Kakamega High’s Green Commandos yesterday marched on to semi-finals of the ongoing Brookside East Africa Secondary School Games.

The reigning national champions sealed their last four spot with a 1-1 draw against homeboys CIP Muhanga in a tightly contest clash at Rwanda Defence Forces Military Academy in Musanze.

They finished on top of Group B with seven points one more than Uganda’s BS Kimanya who finished second but qualified for the tomorrow’s semi-finals. Kakamega have had a good run winning against BS Kimanya and College Kirambi of Rwanda by an identical score of 3-0 before ending it with the draw against the hosts.

Kakamega, who are seeking to improve on last year’s third place in Gulu, Uganda, will play Group A runners up. Group A has champions St Mary’s Kitende, Buddo, national finalists Olbolosat and Rwanda’s LDK.

Against Muhanga, the 13-time national champions fell behind to Jean Hirwa’s 28th minute volley before missing a chance later as Henry Atola failed to connect with Evans Odhiambo’s crisp cross with only the keeper to beat.

Kakamega rallied in the second half restoring parity in the 54th minute as captain Chirs Alpha Onyango outwitted Muhanga keeper Emmanuel Inalokunda from the spot. Both sides had clear winning chances but were denied by brilliant saves from the two goalkeepers.

Kakamega captain Onyango believes they still need to improve if they long to make it into Sunday’s final and defend the title.

 “The semis will be tough because we are likely to play champions Kitende or Buddo which are good sides. We have to remain focused, create more chances and utilize them fully so as to keep our dreams of playing in the final,” Onyango said.

National champions Kwale Girls secured a 2-0 win over Kawempe Muslim of Uganda in Group A to keep their semi-final hopes alive thanks to a brace from Elizabeth Katungwa. They take on St Noa of Uganda in their last preliminary match today.

A showdown is looming as former champions as Kenya’s Kaya Tiwi duck it out with with St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda in the first girls’ basketball semi-finals today. The other semis tie will pit Ugandan teams in defending champions Buddo Secondary School and St Bernadette in chase for a place in tomorrow’s final.

Kaya Tiwi, who finished second in Group B, must win to keep Kenya’s hopes of reclaiming the title after Butere Girls’ elimination at the group stage. The three-time national champions face an uphill task against the 2015 East Africa winners, who topped Group A.

In volleyball, girls defending champions Kwanthanze and GS Indagaburezi of Rwanda have a date in tomorrow’s final after winning their semis. Kwanthanze rallied from two sets down to beat Cheptil 3-2 (19-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-14, 15-13) while Indagaburezi dismissed IPRC Kigali 3-0.