Wiyeta Girls, Njabini, Kobala, and Maeni secondary schools have all progressed to the semifinals of the 2019 Under-16 COPA Coca-Cola National Games after the climax of the group matches at the Kisumu Polytechnic.
Rift Valley representatives Wiyeta ended their group engagements in style, whipping Ugari 3-0 in a one-sided affair. Shaylin Opisa, Jecinta Karemani, and Laventa Akinyi scored the goals.
In the other match of this pool, Njabini beat Dagoreti mixed 3-1. Lavin Anyango, Everline Adhiambo, and Rita Nyoroka were on target for the victors as Faith Osinde bagged the consolation for the Nairobi region representatives.
In Pool B, Waa demolished Itaara 6-0. This was an inconsequential fixture as these two teams had been eliminated from the competition after losing their opening two matches.
Marion Furaha was the highlight of this result as he managed to get his name onto the scoresheet on four occasions. Mwanajuma Mwandoro also starred, bagging a brace.
In the other Group ‘B’ match, Kobala and Maeni played to a barren draw meaning both accumulate seven points from three matches. But Maeni will top the charts due to a superior goal-difference.
In the boys’ category, Serani maintained their 100% record with a 2-1 win over Gatamaiyu. Mahir Mohamed and Juma Mwinyikai scored the goals for Serani while Ongao Mucheni got the consolation for Gatamaiyu.
In the other pool ‘A’ match, Koyonzo moved to the semis with a 1-0 win over Goseta from Rift Valley. Fred Okutoyi scored the lone goal of the match. Serani finished the pool on top with nine points while Koyonzo is second with six.
“It was a good outing for the boys. It’s the first time they are playing in the national school games and I believe they will learn from this. We definitely lacked experience at this level and it clearly worked against us, but there’s nothing to regret about because it’s all about learning and giving these players a chance at an early age,” Goseta coach Amos Juma said.
“Our goal was to qualify for at least the semifinal and we have achieved that. These players have a strong character, they fought really hard and we got a deserved win. We now take rest as we wait to know who we play in the semis,” explained Koyonzo coach Chrisantus Joseph Otieno.
In Pool ‘B’ surprise package Boys Town form Garrissa continued with their fine form in the competition beating Dagoretti Boys 2-0 to top the pool. Abdulrahaman Dayit scored the opener after leaping to head home from a corner. Before Ismail Abdullai made it 2-0 with firing home after a fantastic run on the right flank.
In the other Pool ‘B’ match, Machakos Boys defeated Agoro Sare 2-1. Cliff Ochieng and Mutiso Emmanuel scored the goals for Machakos. Bosco Musembi got the consolation goal for Agoro Sare.
Semi-Final pairings:
Boys U20
St. Anthony’s Boys vs Ebwali
Dagoretti Boys vs Olbolsat
Girls’ U20
Itigo vs Njabini
Arch Bishop Njenga vs Nyakach
Boys’ Under-16
Boys Town vs Koyonzo
Dagoretti vs Serani
Girls’ Under-16
Wiyeta vs Kobala
Njabini vs Maeni