Defending champions Kisumu Day dare Agoro Sare ahead of Nyanza finals

Kisumu Day players celebrate after qualifying for the Nyanza Region Secondary School football finals. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Kisumu Day will renew their rivalry with Agoro Sare in Tuesday’s Nyanza Region Secondary School games football final in Bondo, Siaya County.

Kisumu Day knocked out Siaya County champions Usenge High School 2-1 in extra time of the semifinals played at Chianda High School in Rarieda yesterday.

The match was moved 21km away from Bondo due to projected crowd trouble. On Sunday, the preliminary match pitting St Mary’s School Yala and Agoro Sare was marred with scenes of chaos after fans clashed, which forced the second to be replayed in Chianda. 

Yesterday, Elisha Otieno gave the Kisumu County giants a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute after sending a powerful 20-yard free kick past a diving Ryshon Akasha in goal for Usenge. 

Five minutes to full time, Reagan Odhiambo gave Usenge fans hopes of proceeding to the finals after beating Kisumu Day shot stopper Tom Onyango with a right corner post shot to send the game to extra time after a 1-1 draw. 

The two sides shot blanks in the first 15 minutes before Bavon Ochieng capitalised on Usenge's defensive mistakes to poke the ball into an empty net in the 117th minute for a win 2-1.

Speaking after qualifying for the final, Kisumu Day coach Booker Odhiambo said they are confident of not only retaining their title, but also booking a ticket to the Kakamega national games.

“We are not afraid of Agoro Sare. I don't want to sound disrespectful, but we not only defeated them 2-0 last year in the final, but also confirmed our dominance over them during our opening Group B match, which we won 1-0 last Saturday.

“Bottom line is that we have to be on our toes today because it won’t be an easy match for us either. History is good but we understand that it won’t count in the match when the national ticket is at stake,” said Odhiambo.

Duncan Omalla scored as Kisumu Day edged out Agiro 1-0 during the pool matches. Omalla said he is happy to have helped his school reach this far and dreams of qualifying for the nationals again.

“It’s a game and a time for us. The focus of the team is to get the ticket because we have put alot in terms of training and we can’t give up yet. We believe we can do it again,” said the brother of Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla.

In girls' football, defending champions Kobala were knocked out of the regional finals after losing 1-0 to Nyakach. Last year, Kobala ended Nyakach’s reign after betaing them 1-0 before proceeding to the final. The same fate befell them this year as Nyakach exerted revenge. 

Nyakach will face off with Lwak Girls from Siaya County in the final today in what we be a repeat of their pool match which Nyakach won 1-0.

In volleyball, Onjiko High School will face off with Itumbe in boys' final as Nyakach Girls play Nyakongo. Onjiko came from a set down to hammer Sagegi 3-1. Sagegi won the first set 25-21 before the Kisumu champions fought back to win 25-23, 25-20 and 25-20.

Itumbe demolished God Bura 25-23, 25-21 and 25-22.

In netball, Nyakach Girls also knocked out national champions Kobala 38-35. Nyakach will meet Oyugi Ogango, who defeated Nyabera 59-19