Wiyeta qualify for semis

Nyakach Girls' Cynthia Akinyi (left) challenges Djamila Abimana of GS Remera of Rwanda in last year's East Africa games in Eldoret. [Dennis Okeyo, Standard]

Former champions Wiyeta yesterday defeated Saint Basile of Burundi 6-0 to qualify for girls’ football semi-finals in the 2017 Brookside East Africa Secondary School games in Gulu, Uganda.

However, another Kenyan side, Ibinzo, was not as lucky losing 3-4 on post-match penalties to Alliance Girls of Tanzania. Christine Awour was on fire netting four times as Wiyeta ran riot at Gulu High School.

Wiyeta will be hoping to survive the wrath of the Tanzanians (Alliance) whom they battle tomorrow for a place in the finals. The second semis duel will be a Ugandan affair with favourites Kawempe Muslim playing Uganda Martyrs Rubaga.

New champions will be crowned after Rwanda’s G.S Remera, who beat Kenya’s St John’s Kaloleni in last year’s final, were eliminated at the group stage.

Wiyeta coach Edgar Manyara urged his charges to be at their best and secure a slot to the final.

“Their performance was brilliant but I think they still need to work harder. Being the only Kenyan team left in the competition, we will be under pressure to perform and ensure we qualify for the final,” Manyara said.

Awour was in a class of her own as she tormented the entire Basile defence and goalkeeper Jeanim Irakole in the one-sided match.

Kenya Under-20 women’s team striker, Martha Amunyolete, put Wiyeta ahead in the 15th minute after finishing off a Monica Etot pass. Three minutes later, it was two after Awuor scored her first, before adding two more in the 24th and 26th minutes for a 4-0 lead.

Irakole was beaten again in the 41st minute for a 5-0 lead at the break. Awuor then completed an incredible outing with the sixth goal in the 56th minute.

In handball, defending champions Moi Girls Kamusinga beat A.I.P Hanika 21-18 to increase their chances of retaining the title, while Kibuli Secondary School of Uganda defeated Bor Girls of South Sudan.

Meanwhile, Kenyans will be seeking to extend their dominance in athletics. They begin their medal hunt in boys’ 10,000m race. Girls will also compete in 5,000m, 1,500m, 800m and 100m in tomorrow’s semis.