Defending champions St Anthony’s Boys Kitale on Wednesday cruised into the hockey semi-finals at the ongoing Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games at Shanzu Teachers Training College, Mombasa.
St Anthony’s saw off Eastern Region champions Meru School 2-0 in their second pool B match to make it two wins on the trot and most importantly, six points guaranteeing their spot in Friday’s semis.
Goals from Walter Wanyonyi and skipper Oscar Kiptoo gave the four-time winners a comfortable win, keeping their dreams of securing a fifth title, their third in a row alive.
St Anthony’s coach Kelvin Lugalia admits the going will get tough in the knockout stage, but is confident they can stand tall.
“We have achieved our first target of reaching the semis but now the hard work begins and we have to improve and ensure we are at 100 percent,” Lugalia said.
St Anthony’s had launched their defence with a 3-0 win over St George’s on Tuesday. The East Africa champions wrap up their preliminary campaign against MPESA Foundation Academy from Central region on Thursday.
Meru School and St George’s are in the running to secure the other last four slot in their winner-takes-all clash on Thursday.
In girls’ matches, former champions Hillcrest’s return to the nationals came to an end as they succumbed to their second loss in the competition. The Nairobi region champions lost 2-0 to Bura Girls in their second pool B match. On Tuesday, they fell 3-0 to former champions St Cecilia Misikhu.
Misikhu were on Wednesday held to a 0-0 draw by Kerugoya Girls in their second match to keep them top of the pool with four points. Bura are second on four points, while Kerugoya are third on two points as Hillcrest lie bottom.
KIMILILI THROUGH
In handball, boys’ and girls’ champions Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga also secured their last four slots with one round of matches left. Kimilili saw off last year’s finalists Kanyawanga High from Nyanza 31-11 in their second pool B match.
Joseph Wafula led the 10-time champions with 11 goals as Allan Wafula and Douglas Wekesa chipped in with five goals each. Aluya Nyaondi scored four for the losers.
“We can only get better and now the focus is to ensure we go all the way to the final,” Joseph Wafula said.
Kimilili had beaten 38-19 in their pool opener. Kamusinga on the other hand would beat Dagoretti Mixed 24-13 in their second match. Naomi Wamalwa and Mildred Nyongesa scored eight and seven goals respectively.
Kamusinga coach Geoffrey Simiyu is confident they can go all they way again.
“Our focus now shifts to the semis and I believe we have the players with the experience of playing at this stage,” the coach said.