National hockey champions St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Nyamira Girls became the first teams to book their places in the semi-finals of the ongoing Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.
St Joseph’s Kitale edged fellow Kenyan side Ng’iya Girls 1-0 in a tightly contested Kenyan derby at Forest Hill Secondary School, with Valarie Imisa scoring the decisive goal to take her tournament tally to three.
The two-time East Africa champions had earlier opened their campaign with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa on Friday.
JOGA coach John Lusaka was pleased with his team’s resilience as they maintained their perfect start and moved closer to a third consecutive title.
“It was a tough game against a familiar opponent. However, I’m happy with how the girls performed. We maintained our 100 per cent record and we are on course to lift our third consecutive title,” said Lusaka.
Nyamira Girls also sealed their semi-final place with a convincing 3-0 victory over Uganda’s Gayaza.
Mitchel Sarah, Gracia Pauline and Cecilia Balala scored for the Nyanza region champions, who secured their place in the last four with a match to spare.
Coach Stephen Kigai said the team was determined to maintain its winning run in their final group match on Monday as they chase a return to the top of East African school hockey.
“It was a good result. We have qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare,” said Kigai.
He added: “We are prepared to reclaim the trophy which we last won in 2019.”
Ng’iya Girls coach Oduor Nyadida, meanwhile, rued his side’s missed chances in their narrow defeat to St Joseph’s Kitale but remained confident of reaching the semi-finals.
“It was a good game, but the girls didn’t take their chances. Despite the loss, we are still in the competition. We want to win our last group game on Monday and qualify for the semis,” said Nyadida.
The Nyanza region champions will face Benjamin Mkapa on Monday.
“Our target remains winning the tournament,” added Nyadida.
In the boys’ category, national champions St Anthony’s Kitale began their title defence in impressive fashion, thrashing Uganda’s Mbarara High School 5-0.
Peter Wachira scored twice, while Joseph Kola, Sebastian Kipsang and Maurice Masibo added a goal each.
Coach Kevin Lugalia admitted his side took time to settle before producing a dominant second-half display.
“Game one is always difficult. The first half ended in a barren draw, but we eventually got five past them and this puts us in the driving seat to qualify for the semi-final,” said Lugalia.
In another boys’ encounter, Friends School Kamusinga were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania’s Arusha Meru.
Coach Godfrey Mulei said his charges would quickly shift their focus to their next assignment.
“It was a difficult match, but we are now focused
on winning the second game,” said Mulei.
