SCHOOLS: Shanderema and St Anthony's Kitale win 8-0 as national games kick off

Shanderema star Nixon Mutimi celebrates after scoring against Khorof Harar. Shanderema won 8-0.[Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

Hosts Shanderema Secondary School and St Anthony's Boys Kitale sent warning shots to their rivals on Tuesday after scoring eight goals each in their respective football matches as the 2023 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National games kicked off in Kakamega County.

Playing at Kakamega High School grounds where Green Commandoes were spectators, St Anthony's Kitale schooled Eastern champions Matiliku Boys how to play football by thrashing them 8-0.

David Wekesa gave the Rift Valley champions the lead in the opening 10 minutes of the match before Adrine Kibet doubled the scores in the 20^th minute.

Kibet made sure the Trans Nzoia County heavyweights will go to the breather with a 3-0 goal advantage after netting his brace moments later.

In the final half, Joseph Omuse stretched the scores to 4-0 before Stanley Waswa scored two goals in a span of 10 minutes to lead 6-0.

As if it was not enough, the Kitale-based school made it 8-0 with Gregory Agesa and Alvin Kasavuli scoring late in the match.

Kitale's Peter Mayoyo said he was keen on going all the way to the finals on Saturday and representing Kenya in East African School games.

"We have come here to win and nothing else. We are optimistic about reaching the finals and lifting the trophy because we have what it takes, what we are only going to improve on is our speed," said Shikutwa.

Mayoyo added that the secret to their successful sporting activities is the good infrastructure, discipline, and maximum support from the administration.

"We have a good administration that is so supportive and that has led for the team to have a good infrastructure which has helped the team in training and keeping fit.

"Our other secret card is that we do not recruit or scout our players from other schools, what we do is nurture young talents from primary school," he said.

At Bukhungu Stadium, Western Region football champions Shanderema responded to Kitale's first shot by also crushing North Eastern's Khorof Harar 8-0.

Shanderema coach Kevin Asuba said he is keen on ensuring the trophy remains in the Western region.

"I have a good team despite our striker and scorer Mark Shaban having an injury. My boys have really tried and our main aim is to win the Saturday final match to represent the country," said Asuba.

However, Asuba called on his players to remain careful with every opponent they come across in the games.

Khorof Head Coach Adan Noor said they will bounce back in their next and remaining games.

Elsewhere, Nairobi region big dogs Dagoretti High School defeated Serani from Coast Region 1-0 as the pride of Nyanza Agoro Sare High School also kicked off the games with a 2-1 win over Kirangari from Central.

In rugby, defending champions Koyonzo Secondary School hit Bwake from Rift Valley 19-0 as Lenana School saw off Kiambu 14-5.

Two-time national rugby sevens champions Maseno School could not however walk their talk as they went down 36-5 against Vihiga.

Tuesday's KSSSA National games results

Football

St Anthony's Boys Kitale 8-0 Matiliku Boys

Shanderema 8-0 Khorof Harar

Agoro Sare 2-1 Kirangari

Dagoreti High School 1-0 Serani

Rugby

Koyonzo 19-0 Bwake

Vihiga 36-5 Maseno School

Lenana 14-5 Kiambu

Netball

Oyugi Ogango 67-21 Kinale

Bukokholo 58-26 Kaya Tiwi

Volleyball

Namwela 3-1 Tumaini

Andersen 3-0 Onjiko

Vitengeni 3-0 Furaha

Tetu 3-2 Ruthimitu