St. John’s stop Rwandese champs Remera for bright start

National champions St. John’s Kaloleni launched their 2016 East Africa Secondary School Games campaign on a high after beating their Rwanda equivalents, GS Remera 2-1 in an opening fixture of the girl’s football competition on Sunday at Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

Hellen Achieng Bwire and Kenyan international Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam were on target for St. John’s in the first half while Remera had to wait until the 77th minute to reduce the arrears for what was eventually a consolation through their captain Calixte Iradukunda.

Despite dominating their opponents from the first whistle, St. John’s almost conceded in the fifth when Iradukunda hit the post from inside the box with the goalkeeper beaten.

Mwanahalima was troublesome to Remera’s defence, running from both flanks interchangeably with the impressive Jackline Bayali.

Achieng scored from a long range shot after noticing space in the Rwandese side’s defense in the seventh to put her side in the lead.

In the 13th, Mwanahalima raced in from the right after dodging her marker Abimana Djamilik only for her shot to be deflected out for a corner.

Under pressure Djamilik almost scored in her own net while trying to clear Esther Kwendo’s cross but the ball hit the crossbar with goalkeeper Shamimu Nyinawamuntu in Remera’s goal beaten.

At the half hour mark, Calixte wasted a golden opportunity to level for the Rwanda champions shooting direct at Margaret Nzaro who gratefully gathered in a one-on-one situation with the St. John’s keeper after racing into the box.

And they soon rued the missed chance when Mwanahalima doubled the Kenyans lead with another finish from range that caught Nyinawamuntu cold.

In the 62nd, St. John’s lost goalkeeper Nzaro to injury forcing Jeanine Njoroge to take her place as Remera fought frantically to reduce the deficit.

Their breakthrough arrived in fine fashion with Iradukunda making a solo run from the right before rounding off with a composed finish to set a grand stand finish.

The goal rejuvenated the Kigali based side which pinned St. John’s to their own half in their chase for the equaliser but the Kenyans braved the onslaught to notch the three points.

The next assignment for the coast based side will be on Tuesday against Tanzania’s Alliance with Remera facing Masaka from Uganda in the second round.