- St Mary’s Yala and Kakamega High School booked their places in the boys’ football final of the KSSSA National Term Two Games after impressive semi-final victories.
- In the girls’ competition, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Nyakach Girls also advanced to the final after overcoming their respective opponents.
Former champions Kakamega High School from Western Region and St Mary’s Yala High School from Nyanza booked their places in the boys’ football final of the ongoing KSSSA National Term Two Games after winning their respective semi-final matches at M-PESA Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu County.
Yala overcame tournament surprise package Takaba Mixed Secondary School from North Eastern 2-0 in a tightly contested encounter.
After a goalless first half, in which Takaba frustrated the Nyanza giants with disciplined defending and tactical organisation, Yala returned a transformed side after the break.
Arnold Otieno broke the deadlock before Enock Mwangandi sealed victory to send Yala into the championship match.
Yala, Kakamega march into final
Yala head coach Kevin Oluoch admitted Takaba had made life difficult for his side in the opening half.
“The match was tough because our opponents had a good game plan and we went into the break level. We changed our tactics in the second half and it worked well for us,” said Oluoch.
Looking ahead to the final against Kakamega, the tactician warned against complacency.
“We will not underrate Kakamega. It will be another difficult match and we will fight until the end,” he added.
In the second semi-final, former national champions Kakamega High School edged Menengai High School from Rift Valley 2-1 in another entertaining contest to secure their place in the final.
The victory sets up a mouth-watering showdown between two traditional football powerhouses, Yala and Kakamega, in the battle for the national title.
St Joseph’s, Nyakach reach girls’ final
In the girls’ competition, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale will face Nyakach Girls in the final after both teams emerged victorious in their semi-final clashes.
St Joseph’s narrowly defeated former champions Archbishop Njenga Girls 1-0, courtesy of a solitary strike by Purity Nechesa.
Head coach Francis Ojilo praised his players for executing the team’s strategy against a formidable opponent.
“Our opponents were equally good, but our game plan worked well,” said Ojilo.
The coach is already looking forward to a fierce final against Nyakach, who beat his side 2-0 in the opening group match.
“It will be a bruising battle. We know each other well, but we are ready to give everything despite losing to them earlier in the tournament,” he said.
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Nyakach booked their place in the final in emphatic fashion after thrashing Raila Education Centre 4-0.
By Jeff Kirui
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