MILITARY SIDE DASH TO SEMIS: Cereals beaten by compatriots as Uganda Prisons overpower

KDF player Harold Mumbo aims for the goal as Cereals opponent Peter Omondi tries to stop him during the East and Central Africa Clubs Championships at Nyayo National Stadium, yesterday.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) reached the semi-finals of the East and Central Africa Club Championships after beating compatriots National Cereals and Produce Board 31-26 at the Nyayo National Stadium, yesterday.

Victor Oduor and Musa Munyasa were instrumental in KDF's victory after scoring nine and six respectively, while Davis Odhiambo and Rogers Arunga top-scored for Cereals with seven and four goals.

But Uganda Prisons overpowered University of Nairobi (UoN) 39-27 in another match.

With the results, the university side has managed only a point from three matches after a 23-23 tie against Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) Nairobi conference.

John Wekesa of UoN told FeverPitch they have learned so much from the championship, being their first time.

"We are using the championship to better our skills because we are preparing for the regional University Games in Uganda next week. We will work hard to make sure we improve in our last match," said Wekesa.

The Ugandan side started the match well, registering a 15-8 lead in the first quarter.

As the match progressed, the visitors intensified attacks to stretch the lead, recording 22-14 at first half.

On resumption, Prisons, who finished third in 2012, came in stronger as they intensified attacks to extend their lead to 28-20 in the third quarter.

The home team reorganised well but their efforts were not enough to counter their experienced opponents.

Prisons assistant coach, Flavia Angwea, said his side has improved from the last edition since they missed last year's edition in Tanzania.

Dominic Akena emerged the top scorer for Prisons with eight goals as Gilbert Ojok and Lawrence Osujju recorded seven goals each.

The varsity side only managed 13 goals in the second half with Derrick Kadenge netting nine, while John Wekesa and Clerence Oyule were on target four times each.

In another entertaining encounter at the same venue, Strathmore University settled for 24-24 tie against KUSA.

Both teams were looking forward for their first win in the championship with Strathmore surrendering the lead three times to give their opponents a chance to narrow down the lead.

Jefferson Oketch emerged the top score for Strathmore on seven goals with Celestus Okoyana and Ken Ndirangu netting six and four respectively.

Walter Nyongesa managed six goals for the Kusa side with Kevin Kamau, Ivan Alulu and Gibson Luyari scoring three each.

Ulinzi women's club will face off against Spaklers with both teams looking forward to win their first match of the championship.

UoN will battle it out against Strathmore University in the last preliminary match.

Meanwhile, women champions, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Police, who were expected in the country on Tuesday evening, failed to show up for the championship.

With the absence of Police, the champions of this year will be determined by a match pitting local champions, Nairobi Water Queens and their arch-rivals National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) tomorrow.

The semi-finals are expected to be played today at the same venue with the finals set for Friday.