Flying Commandos shot down from regional games

Giants Kakamega High School Green Commandos who landed with fanfare for the Airtel Rising Stars Nzoia Region Term 2 Secondary School Ball Games in fanfare after flying in to the competition came crashing out of it on Thursday.

After being brought swiftly crashing down to earth by a 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals St. Anthony’s High School on Wednesday, the flying Commandos were sent swiftly back to Lodwar Airstrip after home team Lokichar AGC Secondary stunned them 1-0.

It was a limp exit for the former national and regional champions who also feature in the Football Kenya Federation National Division 2 league with the old boys who weighed in to ensure they avoided the rigours of using the bumpy road to Lodwar bound to be left as red-faced as the team.

Kakamega dominated play but came unstuck in the 17th minute when Clement Aruwan dribbled past their defenders and sunk in winner before Lokichar defended with their lives to see out the result.

St. Anthony’s and Bukembe High who have hit the headlines after their passionate supporter, Kennedy Wafula, cycled 385km to watch them play advance from Pool A with the Commandos and Lokichar knocked out of contention at the first hurdle.

Commandos had to win their last pool game after being forced to a draw by Bukembe.

“This is history if a small team like us can beat a giant like Green Commandos,” Lokichar keeper, Leviticus Ewoi said after the final whistle as they celebrated the victory despite their exit.

“It is not something new for me to beat Kakamega. I have always beaten them and today’s match was not special. We played very well, showed a lot of character to come from a goal down and our focus is now on the semi-final,” St. Anthony’s coach Moses Kidengwa said after their win.

In other matches played on the second day, Butula were 1-0 winners over Lokichang in Pool B, the same scoreline Bukembe won over Lokichar. Kapenguria Boys were the biggest winners of the day with a 3-0 whitewash of Ebwalio.

In pool B Butula Boys from Busia County qualified for the semis together with Kapenguria boys.

In the girls’ category, defending champions Wiyeta Girls were made to work hard before finally picking a 1-0 win over Archbishop Njenga. Former national and East Africa champions Tartar were also put through a tough duel by Brenda Girls from Bungoma before winning via the same scoreline.