St. Anthony run riot, Passenga stunned in openers

Titans St Antony Kitale showed their dominance in the inaugural Under-16 Football Tournament kicked off Tuesday at Kangaru School, Embu, as part of this year’s Kenya Secondary School Sports Association Term 2A Games.

The Nzoia Region giants crushed the hapless Kaya Kawi from Coast 7 -0 in the opening tie before Wahundura from Aberdare underlined their potential to challenge for their crown when they walloped Katheka from Highlands 6-0.

Juma Mbwire took five minutes to head in the first from a loose ball for the titleholders before he provided the assist for Tyson Kapsanga to turn in the second from his cross in the 16th.

The floodgates opened and Kapsanga notched his double two minutes later after a defensive blunder before Malvin made it 4-0 at half time.

There was no respite for Kaya after the break after captain Phillip Muyanka got on the score sheet in the 58th before Mbwire also claimed his brace in the 76th.

The skipper completed the rout two minutes later to get on the double-scoring act.

“We are confident we will follow in the footsteps of their Under 19 counterparts and lift the inaugural trophy,” the captain noted.

He said the team which eliminated other football giants, Butere Boys which had beaten other football powerhouse Kakamega High School, was aiming to play in East Africa games to be staged in Eldoret in August.

Mayaka, who plays in the mid field, however said they were wary of Utithi who defeated former Under 19 champions Upper Hill.

Nicholas Muli was the hero for newcomers Utithi from Metropolitan after they secured a hard fought 2-1 win over Garissa School in a Pool A clash.

Abdi Rashid Bahir put Garissa ahead in the 34th minute before Richard Mwenyi finished off a well-worked move to level matters four minutes later.

Nicholas Muli headed in the winner five minutes after the break for Uthithi from Makueni who stunned giants Laiser Hill to the regional title last month.

The debutants are second in their group after Barding from Lake Region turned on the style to demolish Simotwo from Mau 4-0 to underline their credentials for the title.

Ian Mutanda produced a man of the match performance after notching a brace three minutes after kick-off and on the 57th.

Ziko Roocha and John Ong’onda also found the target in the 37th and the 39th as Barding ran rampant in the first half.

In the girl’s category, Passenga from Aberdare were beaten by Metropolitan’s Olympic 1-0 in girls’ football in the opening day of the National Term 2 Secondary Games that got underway at Kangaru School in Embu on Tuesday.

Irene Namale scored in the 34th minute to sink Passenga who upset the established order last year when they sealed a maiden title.

Powerhouse Wiyeta from Nzoia thrashed Katutu from Highland region 6-1 while Pool B debutants Gategi Girls from Highlands drowned in a flood of an 11-0 hammering from Abwao from Lake while Eburru from Mau beat Kwale Girls from the Coast 2-1.

Adhiambo Ruth (5’, 29’ and 37’) and Achieng Lavender (21’, 35’ and 42’) slammed hat-tricks for Abwao in the Gategi goal fest.

Awour Phenny, Tuner Tima and Sheila Akeyo notched doubles in the cricket scoring game.

In handball boys’ Kimilili from western humbled Mutonguni 35-14 while Makongeni from Coast outclassed St. Georges 20-12.

In the girls’ handball, Karuri were beaten by Mukuyu 26-31 while Kaya from the coast fared better than their football colleagues when they crushed Syumile 49-24.

Secondary School Sports Association chairman Ngetich and Secretary General David Ngugi said over 1000 competitors and 500 officials are attending the Coca-Cola sponsored event which ends on Saturday.

Report by Anthony Muchiro and John Njuguna