Schools: Champions put on hold as school games start in Mombasa

Champs start on wrong footing

Joy Kinglady (left) of Nyakach Girls High School attempts to clear the ball against Vanzier Awuor (right) of Utithi Girls High School in one of the girls soccer match as the Kenya Secondary Schools Term Two A national games got underway at the Shanzu Teachers Training College, June 06, 2017. Nyakach won 5-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

St Anthony’s and Wiyeta drop points in opening football matches.

Last year’s winners, given a chance, would have wished for a better start in this year’s Copa Coca Cola national secondary schools Term Two A games.

Enjoying the champion’s tag, the two were other teams’ targets. They were the teams to beat. So, when former national champions Kakamega High School took to the field yesterday at Shanzu Teachers Training College for their match against St Anthony’s, they had done their homework well.

At the final whistle, Kakamega got what they wanted, almost. The game ended 0-0. But in all honesty, the final result was not a true reflection of how close the match was. Trully, St Anthony’s were the better side.

Granted, Kakamega also conjured up a few passes, but it’s the champions who came close to breaking parity.

Coached by Peter Mayoyo, the champions were stoic in their defence; which was enduring, their midfield fluid, but their blunt striking force was their main undoing. Ahmed Swabri and Lukas Maina could not muster the scoring act as most of their balls went begging. Kakamega were not any different, even though Evans Odhiambo and Ezra Wafula came close.

“I hope to improve in the second match. Fatigue affected my boys, but I must accept that our midfield collapsed especially in the second half,” said Mayoyo.

Kakamega coach Felix Lihanda said they were the better side, but could not translate their opportunities to goals.

“We gave our best, but lady luck did not smile on us,” he said.

In another boys match, Coast representatives Ramisi squeezed a 1-0 win over Garissa High School with Abdallah Mikidadi scoring the all important goal in the 15th minute.

In girls football, title holders Wiyeta drew 2-2 with Kwale Girls High School at Shimo La Tewa High School.

Monica Etot and Gentrix Shikangwa scored for Wiyeta, while Mila Omondi and Catherine Aringo replied for the Coast girls.

In another girls match, Nyakach proved they are set to wrest the title from Wiyeta after they defeated a hapless Utithi 5-0 in a one-sided match at the Shanzu grounds.

Sylvia Nabwire required just two minutes to land Nyakach’s first goal, Faith Brenda added the second two minutes later.

Nyakach had tasted blood and went for the kill. Even before Utithi could reorganise themselves, Landline Aoko struck for the third goal in the sixth minute. With that, the game was out of Utithi’s hand.

Meanwhile, rugby and athletics start tomorrow at Shimo La Tewa and Mbaraki Sports Club.