Favourites earn East Africa games slots

New champions will be crowned in football under 16 and 19 boys’ and girls’ as well as boys’ volleyball. [Eric Lungai, Standard]

After months of intense training, the wheat will be separated from the chaff during the crowning moment for winners as Secondary Schools National Term Two games end in Kisumu today.

Having secured tickets to East Africa Secondary Schools games set for 15 to 24 August in Arusha, Tanzania, today’s battle for national glory will certainly turn into a dogfight.

Kwanthanze (girls volleyball) and Kaya Tiwi (netball), who were last year’s champions, are out to defend their titles.

New champions will be crowned in football under 16 and 19 boys’ and girls’ as well as boys’ volleyball. 

Kwanthanze, who are also the reigning East Africa champions, long to overcome perennial rivals Cheptil and bag their fifth national title.

In semis, Kwanthanze dismissed rivals Soweto Academy 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) to set a date with Cheptil who sent packing Passenga in straight sets of 25-5, 25-12 and 25-12. Soweto and Passenga will battle in hunt for the remaining girls volleyball ticket to Arusha. 

In boys contest, last year’s third place finishers Mogonga PAG will clash with newcomers Lelmokwo in the final. The two sides will be clashing in a repeat of their opening Group A match that homeboys Mogonga won. 

CLEAR FAVOURITES

Mogonga captain Morgan Mutai said they are keen to lift this year’s trophy. “We were clear favourites from the beginning because most of our opponents were new to the games while we had finished third last year. Our aim is to win the national trophy and we are going for it,” Mutai said.

He said they are not worried battling Lelmokwo for a second time within few days because they know their strengths and weaknesses and will to their advantage.

His Lelmokwo counterpart Mark Cheruiyot said they are out to prove they are no pushovers. “We lost to them (Mogonga) because we were new to the games but we will prove a point to them. We will not allow them to beat us twice in one championship,” Cheruiyot said. 

Mogonga rallied from one set down to beat Namwela 23-25, 25-22, 25-10 and 25-21 to set a date with Lelmokwo who had humbled Langata School in straight sets of 27-25, 25-20 and 25-11.

Dagoretti High, St Anthony’s Boys Kitale, Nyakach Girls and Itigo also booked their tickets to East Africa after triumphing in their respective boys’ and girls’ football under 19 semi-finals.

Former national and East Africa girls football champions Archbishop Njenga and Njabini will square it out for the remaining slot. Kaya Tiwi and Nyakach will represent Kenya in netball.