Champs Nzoia through to semis as Lake crash out

Defending boy’s football champions, Nzoia Region sailed through to the semis of the ongoing National Finals of the Milo Primary School Games and Gymnastics with 2014 winners, Lake Region surprisingly crashing out as preliminary fixtures wrapped up on Thursday.

Nzoia are on course to defend their crown after whipping Northern Region 4-2 in their final Pool A match while Lake bowed out after being outclassed 2-0 by Coast Region on Thursday following their opening 3-1 Pool B defeat.

In an ecstatic Pool A match that attracted hundreds of football fans at Hill High School, Nzoia beat their Northern opponents who had taken five days to arrive in Eldoret to maintain their push to defend their crown.

Ali Osman from Garissa Primary opened the score sheet in the 12th minute before Nzoia equalised in the 27th when Nicholas Simuyu, a class eight pupil at Sengeteti Primary levelled with a header.

The Northern boys’ team, which according to the officials was the strongest the region has ever produced, scored their second in the 48th from Nuru Mohammed of Wajir Primary who also plays for White Star Club based in his home County.

Nzoia Region’s team captain who also plays for Lamasia FC based in Kakuma Refugee camp, Ngeywo Godwin made it 2-2 in the 78th before Chemenya Joseph of Korioshondet Primary and Mogosa Alliance of Lokitaung Primary put the champions out of sight for the victory.

“We are a much stronger team than ever and so our hopes of retaining the title are much higher,” said Ngeywo who studies at Bukenoi Primary.

Nzoia will now meet Coast Region while Metropolitan will play Mau in another semi-final in on Friday.

At the same, Nzoia girls’ team beat Highland Region 3-0 to continue their quest to defend scoop title.

Nzoia’s Jackline Barasa notched a brace while Alusa Mildred scored the third to give Nzoia the win.

Nzoia will now meet their archrivals Lake Region in the semis while Highland will play Coast the other semis.

Lake are eyeing a fourth successive crown thrashed Aberdares 4-0 to add to their 2-1 victory over Mau in the opening day.

In boys’ Netball, defending champions Lake Region will meet Nzoia in the semis while Mau will play Coast.