Mang'u, Alliance battle for Central region tickets to National School games Championships

Sega Girls' Judy Adongo from Siaya county aims St Joseph Girls School's goal in their semi finals match during KSSS Term 1 National Games at Kangaru School in Embu County. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As the only branch that finished their preliminary matches last weekend and are headed for the semifinals and finals today and tomorrow, the fight for tickets for Central Region to National Championships promises to be a battle of titans at Mpesa Academy in Thika this morning.

Mang'u High School are looking forward to bag a number of titles with their eyes trained on East African Games in August.

First and foremost, Mang'u are out to win back the rugby 15s title with head coach Dennis Munene seeing no challenge from the teams that have qualified for the semifinals.

"I cannot see a team that can stand on our way to the National Championships at our regional championships today. Our urge is to win this title to ensure we take part in the National and East Africa Games," Munene told Standard Sports.

Mang'u face Magumo this morning as Alliance take on Pioneer in the semi-finals.

On their way up, Mang'u stopped Alliance High school 17-0 in their round robin matches that saw the top four teams qualify for semifinals.

Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Central Region Secretary General Virginia 'Iron Lady' Murage said they finished their preliminary matches early enough to give their teams enough time to get ready for the National Championships.

"Finishing our preliminary matches last weekend was a good measure for us to concentrate for the National Championships accurately," said Murage.

In the boys' basketball, Thika High take on Murang'a Boys as Pioneer have a date with Mang'u in the semi-final matches.

Murang'a Boys who are tipped to win the boys' basketball title won their semifinal ticket after emerging runners up with six points behind winners Pioneer Secondary who reaped nine points.

In the girls' basketball, four teams will battle out in the semifinals this morning.

They are Mpesa Academy, Loreto Girls, Limuru, Karima Girls and Magumano.

Mpesa Academy will face Magumano as Karima Girls take on Loreto Girls, Limuru.

In boys' handball, Gichau Boys takes on Mang'u in the first semifinal match as Graceland meets Handenga.

Nyathuna face Shamaka in the first girls' handball semifinal match as Kinale takes on Mithithi.

SEMIFINALS FIXTURES.

RUGBY 15s.

Mang'u Vs Magumo

Alliance Vs Pioneer

BASKETBALL

BOYS - Thika High Vs Murang'a Boys

Pioneer Vs Mang'u

GIRLS - Mpesa Academy Vs Magumo

Karina Girls Vs Loreto, Limuru

HANDBALL

BOYS - Gichau Boys Vs Mang'u

Graceland Vs Handenga

GIRLS -Muthithi Vs Kinale

Shamaka Vs Nyathuna