Football: Ebwali, St. Anthony Kitale off to bright KSSSA U-19 start

St. Anthony Kitale and Ebwali registered impressive victories in their opening matches as the 2019 Term Two KSSSA games got underway in Kisumu Day, Moi Stadium and Kisumu Boys grounds.

St. Anthony fought hard to floor Coast champions Shimba Hills 1-0, as Ebwali did with hosts Kisumu Day, in thrilling opening matches of the competition.

Shimba Hills made a bright start with talisman, Omar Yahya rattling the crossbar in the eleventh minute but their momentum wavered as the game wore on.

Neither of the two teams could break the deadlock by the end of the first stanza.

St. Anthony’s second-half goal from a Daniel Msamali free-kick settles the tie as the Rift Valley champions held on to prevail.

After the match St. Anthony Coach Peter Mayoyo congratulated his charges for the scrappy win.

“The kick-off games are normally difficult because everyone wants to win. That’s why it was tough to score for everyone,” the coach said.

He offered his charges will approach the next clash differently, owing to the morphing nature of different opponents.

“We will have to strategise properly for our second game because we want all the three points,” noted the coach.

His Shimba Hills counterpart Haji Hamisi Marumu was furious of the referee’s performances saying he overlooked many of the fouls that his players.

“We are now focusing on our second and third matches. I’m sure we will rise and reach the final, probably with the same team that played today (Tuesday). Peter Mayoyo should get ready to play us again in the finals because am sure we will make it there.”

Elsewhere, after knocking down hosts Kisumu Day in front of a fully parked Moi Stadium Kisumu, Ebwali coach Francis Muhambe expressed his satisfaction with his team’s exploits.

“First of all, we thank God for the win. I was sure of a victory in this game because I’m experienced at the nationals.

“I urge all fans from the Western region to rally behind us. The boys are able and can go all the way.”

Kisumu Day will kick off the second day of the tournament on Wednesday, when they lock horns with Dagoretti Boys in the 9:00 AM fixture.