Lead image for Kakamega High, St Mary’s Yala stumble as Ng’iya, Nyamira shine in Tanzania.
Kenyan teams on Friday recorded winning starts as the 23rd edition of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games got underway at various venues in Morogoro, Tanzania.
At the same time, debutants St Mary’s School Yala and Kakamega High School lost to Ugandan opponents in boys’ football.
In hockey, defending champions St Joseph’s Girls Senior School, Kitale, led compatriots Nyamira Girls Secondary School and Ng’iya Girls Secondary School in securing opening victories. St Joseph’s began their title defence with an impressive 4-0 win over hosts Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School in their Pool A opener.
In the other pool encounter at Forest Hill Academy School grounds, Ng’iya Girls edged St Mary’s College Namagunga. St Joseph’s goals came from Salome Ayoo, who scored twice, with Valarie Imisa and Cherish Kamimi also getting on the scoresheet.
St Joseph’s coach John Lusaka admitted that it was important to get off to a winning start but warned that his team is yet to hit top gear as they bid to make it three consecutive titles. “We showed great composure and patience against an opponent that was happy to sit back. The players gelled well, and I think the best is yet to come from my players,” said a bullish Lusaka.
St Joseph’s face Ng’iya Girls today, with the winner booking a place in the semi-finals. Lusaka is confident his team will come out on top.
“Ng’iya are an opponent we know too well, but we beat them at the nationals, and we are ready to overcome them once again,” he added.
Ng’iya’s striker Quincy Achieng was her side’s heroine, scoring the lone goal against their Ugandan opponents. Ng’iya’s coach Oduor Nyadida said: “It was a good game. We played a high-pressing game, but Namagunga were resilient enough to force us to a late winner.”