National
handball champions St Luke’s Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga have qualified
for the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA)
finals.
St Luke’s Kimilili saw off Uganda’s Bombo Army 33-27 in an entertaining semi-final at the Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology (MMUST) on Thursday afternoon to book the final ticket.
Kimilili, coached
by Fernwick Opicho, will face defending champions Adegi from Rwanda in the final
on Friday. Adegi thrashed Kenya’s Highway Secondary 23-13 to sail to the final.
“We lost to
this team last year in Uganda, but this time, we have put strategies in place on
how to handle them. We want this trophy to remain in Kenya,” said Kimilili’s
chief principal, Innocent Siro.
In the girls’
category, Moi Girls, Kamusinga, will square it out with defending champions Mbogo from Uganda. Kamusinga, coached by Godfrey Simiyu, qualified for the
finals after beating Uganda’s Kawanda 19-15, while Mbogo saw off Kenya’s St
Joseph’s Girls Kitale 23-20 in a closely contested semi-final.
St Joseph’s
Girls Kitale, popularly known as JOGA, settled for third place after thrashing
Kawanda from Uganda 25-13.
In the girls’ volleyball final, East Africa champions Kesogon Mixed will renew their rivalry with national champions Kwanthanze High School. When the two sides met at the national final in Kakamega two weeks ago, Kwanthanze overcame Kesogon in straight sets.
Kesogon beat compatriots Soweto Academy 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-17) while
Kwanthanze, coached by veteran Justin Kigwari, beat Bishop Sulumeti Girls 3-0 (24-14,
25-23, 25-13) in another all-Kenyan semi-final.
Kigwari
said, “We have had a smooth championship, winning without losing a set. I know
the final against Kesogon will be difficult, but we are prepared to win,” he said.
Kesogon’s
John Marani said he is prepared to defend the regional title. “The game will go
either way, but it’s our prayer to retain the trophy,” said the coach.
In the boys’
category, it will be a battle between Kenya and archrivals Uganda. Kenya’s
Cheptil sent defending champions St Luc from Burundi packing after a 3-2 win in
a five-set thriller to book a date with Uganda’s Namugongo in the final.
Namugongo saw off compatriots from Bukedea Comprehensive School in straight sets.
In the boys’ basketball 3x3, St Joseph’s High School will battle it out with Rwanda’s A.P.E. Rugunga in the finals. St Joseph’s beat Buddo Senior School 21-17 while A.P.E Rugunga edged Kenya’s Pioneer School 21-18 in their respective semi-finals.
In the girls’ category, Ng’iya will play Buddo Senior School in the final. Ng’iya stormed the finals after a 12-11 win over national champions Buruburu, while Buddo defeated Kenya’s Tigoi Girls 16-8.
The girls’ basketball 5x5 final will be an all-Ugandan affair. Uganda powerhouses St Mary’s Kitende will battle St Noa in the final on Friday at Kakamega Police Canteen. St Noa beat Kenya’s Butere Girls 62-53 in the semi-finals, while St Mary’s Kitende defeated Rwanda’s E.S.B. Kamonyi 69-64 in the other semi.
