Green Commandos off the mark in Mumias Games

The Green Commandos of Kakamega High banished their National Super League (NSL) struggles to ease to a 2-0 win over St Josephs Mumias during their County Games opener on Wednesday.

Green Commandoes who made history by becoming the first High School team to qualify for the second-tier NSL showed why they are the team to beat again this year with a dominant performance.

Bonface Ooko and Evan Odhiambo were on target as the champions got off to a flyer with St Josephs goalkeeper Victor Ambajo enjoying a monstrous shift between the sticks to keep the scoreline modest.

Kakamega started on a high tempo with the striking trio of Henry Atola, Evans Odhiambo and Kevin Machika forcing Ambajo into early saves inside the opening ten minutes.

The breakthrough came off a set-piece in the 15th minute with Boniface Ooko turning home Henry Major’s free-kick.

Coach Brendan  Mwinano’s charges doubled their advantage moments after the quarter-hour with Evans Odhiambo providing a cool finish after he had been set up by Samson Otieno.

“We used our NSL experience to kill our opponents, we minimised our mistakes and capitalised on theirs, its only game one and we will take one game at a time,” Mwinano said post-match.

His opposite number Ambika Santos admitted his players froze on the pitch after falling victims of intimidation from the football powerhouse.

“The name Kakamega intimidates any opponent at this level. Apart from confidence we have to improve on our attack and concentration at crucial times,” he offered.

Kakamega will next face Butere High School while St Joseph tackle Soysambu in their next assignment. In other matches Musingu will take on Shanderema while Navakholo will square it out with Tande as Lugari play Bumini .

In volleyball defending champions Malava Boys clash with Matunda High School, Musingu come up  against Mwitoti, Lugari face off with Indangalasia as Kakamega Muslim play Ingolomosio.

In the Girls’ category, Mukumu will begin their title defence against St Joseph while Emalinda play Mwitoti. Bulimbo and Eregi start their campaigns against Manyala and Lukhokho respectively.