Wheat separated from the chaff as games enter semis stage today

Mavin Mmbaka (right) of Kabarnet battles with Khamis Nyale of Serani during the National Secondary school games at Nakuru High school on September 10,2022.[Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

Western region boys' football champions Ebwali will clash with hosts Kabarnet in what is expected to be a thrilling semifinal match of the ongoing national secondary school games at Nakuru High School today.

Just like the first semis, the second encounter between former champions Kisumu Day and Highway is set to be pulsating.

Both matches will start simultaneously at 8.30am as the four teams aim to lift the prestigious title with all finalists booking direct tickets to the prestigious East Africa Games, FEASSSA slated for September 14-24 in Arusha, Tanzania.

There will be a new champion at the competition after holders St. Anthony's Boys High School, Kitale lost to Kabarnet in the Rift Valley regional finals.

In the girls' category, giants Wiyeta from Rift Valley will renew their rivalry with Itigo as Mwira face off with Dagoretti Mixed in the other semifinal tie.

On-form Ebwali saw off Highway 3-1 in their final Group A yesterday to qualify for the last four with an unbeaten record and maximum nine points.

Alvin Musembi of Ofafa battles with Upper Hill players during the National Secondary school games at Nakuru High school on September 10,2022.[Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

The result saw Highway finish second in the group following their wins over Bute of North Eastern and Mbooni of Eastern.

Red hot striker Calvin Otieno was on target again with a double to increase his tournament tally to nine goals as Ebwali made light work of Highway.

National under 17 team forward Andreas Odhiambo then pulled a goal back for Highway from the spot only for Ebwali to regain their two goal cushion through Derrick Gift's effort.

Kisumu Day and Kabarnet Boys also sailed through to the semifinals after finishing first and second in Group B respectively.

It was the type of performance Kisumu coach Benjamin Oyoo and his captain Veron Okeyo wanted after a mixed result on the opening day.

"On the semis against the Highway we will take the ball to them and see how they will respond then we pick it from there," said Oyoo.

"I am very delighted we won today , we followed what the coach instructed us, played as a team and it bore fruits , we are facing off with Highway in the semis and we are optimistic that we will win," added Okeyo who has scored four goals so far in the championships.

But for Kabarnet coach Aswani Savata his charges have what it takes to win their maiden national title.

"Our boys are focused to win the title for the first time and we are determined to do exactly that," he said.

Jane Kemunto (left) of Buruburu dribbles past Obonyo Odonyo of Nyakach during the Basketball 3x3 in the ongoing National secondary school games at Nakuru High school on September 10,2022.[Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

Kisumu Day from Nyanza region thrashed Olbolsat from Central 6-0 while Kabarnet drew 1-1 with Serani from Coastal in a closely contested match marred by heavy rains.

Kisumu went ahead in the sixth minute after Peter Musila scored an own goal. Tyson Ouma doubled the lead in the 11th minute.

Captain Veron Okeyo then hit a quickfire brace in the 40thand 65th minutes before Dancun Odhiambo and Emmanuel Owino scored a goal each.

On the other side, Serani took the lead in the 12th minute in the first half through Ali Kamal before Lual Chudier leveled the scores in the 63th minute.

In boys' volleyball, giants Cheptil of Rift Valley will take on unpredictable Ruthimitu from Nairobi in the semifinal match today while St Joseph will clash with Namwela from Western.

St Joseph's coach Lucy Owidi simply said: "It has not been easy against all the teams we met but I'm happy the boys followed our instructions. We are more than happy to be in the semifinals."

In the girls' category, it will be a battle between giants Kwanthanze and Nyakongo as newcomers Mwitoti face Kesogon.

In the last preliminary boys' volleyball matches, Vitengeni of Coast secured a 3-0 win over Kutulo Mixed of North Eastern but bowed out of the competition as Nyanza champions qualified from a straight win over Ruthumitu of Nairobi.

Yesterday, Kamusinga beat Dagoretti Mixed 36-12 to finish at the top of Group A with six points from three matches ahead of Simisi who posted four points after beating Hon Amin of North Eastern 42-5 in the girls' handball.

Kakrao lost 12-25 against St Joseph's Kitale but went ahead to beat Central's Nyathuna 46-9.

Athletics
Kenyan stars ready for World Cross showdown in Belgrade
By Ben Ahenda 4 hrs ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tanak urges Kenyan children to take up motorsports as a career
Rugby
SCHOOLS: From the classroom to the field, Kisumu Girls ready to lift national rugby trophy
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Neuville clinches Kasarani stage as Hyundai makes intention known