Giants fall in Siaya and Kisii as Kisumu Day march on in football

Kisumu Day players celebrate with the 2023 Kisumu County Secondary School football title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

New football kings were crowned in Siaya, Kisii counties as preparations for this year's Nyanza Regional secondary school Term Two games begin.

The games will be held at Maranda High School and Nyamira Girl.

Usenge toppled St Mary's Yala and Barding to emerge football champions in Siaya as Nyabigena Boys were crowned new Kisii County champions. Gesabakwa, who are the defending champions, were nowhere to be seen, same as Kisii School.

In Kisumu County, it was business as usual for Kisumu Day and Nyakach Girls as they qualified for the regional finals with ease.

Kisumu Day students celebrate after their win.[Courtesy]

Fans' turnout was one of the key features of the school games as thousands flocked Maranda High School in Siaya and Kisumu Boys in Kisumu.

From women to men, boys to girls, students to teachers; everyone scrambled to catch a glimpse of talented students as they battled amongst each other in netball, volleyball, football and basketball 3x3.

Not even the turnout of this year's Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards could match the high school games wave.

Kisumu Day coach Booker Odhiambo (right) speaking to his players during the Kisumu County finals.[Courtesy]

Kisumu Day saw off Onjiko High School 1-0 to win their ninth title in 10 years. Shadrack Mbaraka scored the winner for Kisumu Day who have won the title in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022 and this year.

In girls' football, Nyakach defended their title after thumping Nyakoko Mixed 5-0 in the one-sided tie.

Aisha Akinyi scored in the opening half as Nyakach took a narrow 1-0 half time lead before Maureen Eseri, Swaum Masungo and Vivian Akinyi completed the job in the second half as they picked a comfortable 5-0 victory.

Nyakach netball coach Loice Okore said they want to reclaim the regional title they lost last year in Homa Bay.

Nyakach only needed to play the first quarter to be declared champions after their opponents Ngere Kagoro threw in the towel as they failed to return to the pitch. Nyakach were leading 26-3 in the first quarter.

"Last year we were not ready because of stoppages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and we played terribly. Losing to Kobala in netball and football was an eye opener but we are back. For netball, we need to reclaim the regional title and then go for the national crown," said Okore.

Kisumu Day players celebrate.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Nyakach also won the volleyball title after edging out Koru Girls 3-0. In basketball 3x3, Nyakach also emerged champions to complete four trophies after seeing off St Barnabas 21-7.

Susan Ouma finished with 27 points for Nyakach in the overall score chart followed by her teammates Stacy Adhiambo (26 points) and Mitchel Obonyo (24 points).

Meanwhile, Maseno School thumped Nyabondo 28-0 to win the rugby sevens title.

On the other side, Onjiko Boys beat Maseno 21-20 in the boy's 3x3 final before completing a double by winning the boys' volleyball title. They defeated Chulaimbo Boys 3-0.

Usenge High School football team.[Courtesy]

In Siaya, Usenge High School were crowned the new champions.

Usenge saw off heavyweights St Mary's School Yala 1-0 in the finals played at Maranda High School. Yala knocked out defending champions Barding at the semifinals stage. On the other hand, Usenge defeated Wagai 2-1 to reach the finals.

As Barding bows out and will watch the Nyanza Regional finals from the touchline next month, St Mary's Yala will be on the field alongside Usenge. Yala qualified by virtue of being a school from the host county.

According to the rules, the host county is allowed to field two teams in each category and therefore Yala who finished runners up qualifies for the regional finals that will be hosted at Maranda High School and Nyamira Girls.

In football girls, it was heartbreak for Hawinga Girls who fell short once again. Instead, Lwak Girls emerged champions and will represent Siaya alongside Jera. Lwak won the final 2-0.

In volleyball, Raliew and Nyangoma are through to the regionals as girls will be represented by Nyakongo and Aluor Girls.

Obambo Girls celebrate after winning the national netball title in 2017.[FILE]

In netball, four time national champions Obambo Girls won the county title and will play alongside Kandaria in the regionals.Obambo saw off Kandaria 22-19 in the finals.

Obambo netball coach Eddy Oremo said their goal is to retun to the national scene after six years in the cold.

"We lost at the regionals in 2018, 2019 and last year and it is now thr right time to hit back. Nyakach Girls have been hard on us but I believe we have the right team this year to compete at the top level with the rest. We will be ready by next month," said Oremo.

St Mary's Yala and Ambira Boys will do duty in rugby sevens as Ngiya Girls and Barchando represent in girls 3x3 basketball. Chaianda and Usenge will represent boys in basketball.

Nyanza Region Vice Chairman Ngala Mbuor (right) with Barding goalkeeper during the Siaya County games at Maranda.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Siaya County Secondary School Sports Association chairman Ngala Mbuor congratulated all the winners and rallied all the qualified teams to start early preparations for the regional games set for July 18.

Speaking to the Standard Sports on Sunday, Ngala who is also the Cice Chairman of the Nyanza Regional games believes teams can only do better when they start early preparations.

"Preparations need to start now for the regional games. We are just roughly 23 days away from the finals and we must be ready. Finally, we have no losers. This was a healthy competition where we learn from each other and I believe next year it will be better," said the Segere Principal.