Sudanese teams impress at EA Games

By Oscar Pilipili

Southern Sudan teams continued to make their presence felt at the Brookside East Africa Secondary School Games with encouraging results in Nakuru.

The country’s handball team Salaam beat Iyunga of Tanzania 21-10 to keep live its dream of winning the country its maiden medal in the games.

Kenya recorded mixed results in matches played yesterday as newcomers Kitany beat Kibibi of Uganda 25-18, but Kimilili fell 20-19 to Mwanakwerekwe of Tanzania. In volleyball, Weaverbird beat Tetu 3-1 in a girls’ match that featured all Kenyan teams, while Cheptil beat Lycee of Burundi 3-1 in the boys’ category.

Meanwhile, Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association Chairman Peter Orero says Kenya will win boys’ football title in games.

He said the writing is on the wall, with home teams winning matches at the games.

"It has been difficult for Kenyan teams to win matches in previous championships, but things are different on this occasion," Orero told FeverPitch after watching Jamhuri beat Darajani 2-1 in Nakuru, yesterday.

"Look here. St Mark’s Mokorogoinwa has won its two opening matches, which is a first by any Kenyan team in the championship," he said.

The Upper Hill High School Principal, who shaped Kamukunji and Lang’ata into football giants, said Kenya is advantaged to have four teams in the championships, the rest being Waa and Laiser Hill. Orero pointed out that St Mark’s has polished players who should be playing in the Premier League.

He said Jamhuri is a good side, only that it was drawn in a tough pool alongside Filbert Bayi of Tanzania, Uganda champions Bishop Nankiyama, Baptiste (Rwanda) and Darajani (Tanzania).

Orero said Laiser Hill and Waa could go further but need to work extra hard to advance. He refuted the notion that Advanced Level system of education gives Kenya’s opponents like Uganda and Rwanda an advantage in boys’ football. Most teams that represent Kenya are from Ordinary Level system of education.

"At the age of 15, players should be ready to play football," he said. He said Kenyan teams should train adequately to win.