Central Girls Select in action against Uganda during the under-16 category of the Safari Sevens at the Ngong Racecourse/HANDOUTCentral Schools girls’ coach Allan Bush hailed the composure of his side after they clinched the Safari Sevens Schools Under-16 title at Nyayo Stadium.
The team, largely made up of players from national schools sevens champions Kinale Girls, defeated Western 25-7 in a one-sided final. Bush was delighted with the win and expressed hope it would lead to his players being selected for the Kenya Under-16 team heading to the Youth Olympic Games in Angola.
"I'm over the moon with the victory. This was tough competition, bringing the best teams in the country as well as Uganda, so we hope that our girls can get selected for the continental championship in Angola in December,” said Bush.
He credited the win to the team’s tactical discipline and execution of their game plan. “The girls believed in the system, tactical strategy, and played to our strengths. We know the girls from Western were bigger than us in terms of size, but our skill level and flexibility in attack and defence, as well as our composure, gave us victory,” noted Bush.
Central took control from the kickoff, with Elizabeth Nafula scoring two early tries for a 10-0 lead. Diana Wanjiku added a third before halftime, extending the lead to 15-0. Western responded with a converted try early in the second half, but further tries from Diana and Hellen Wanjiku sealed the win for Central.
In the group stages, Central beat Uganda 24-7 and Coast 45-0. Western edged Rift Valley 22-7 and defeated Nairobi 24-17 to reach the final.
Uganda won the boys’ category after a hard-fought 14-12 victory over Rift Valley in an entertaining final. Rift Valley had earlier upset tournament favourites Western 19-12, while Uganda overcame Nairobi 21-12.
