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.”
On today’s encounter against Joga, Nyadida said: “It’s a deciding match; we are going full blast for it and hope to win.”
In Pool B, 2023 champions Nyamira Girls ran riot, scoring six goals against Tanzania’s Arusha Meru School in their opening encounter. Sara Mitchel scored twice, while Gracia Pauline, Ruth Nakhumicha, Cecilia Balala and Mary Mitchel added a goal each in the one-sided affair.
Nyamira will face Ugandan side Gayaza High School in their second match, knowing that a win will seal their place in the last four. Nyamira coach Stephen Kigai said they are approaching every match as a final.
“A good opening-day result for us. We are taking it one match at a time, with lessons still to pick. Focus shifts to match two against Uganda’s Gayaza, but we aim to top the pool and get a favourable draw in the semis,” Kigai said yesterday.
In the other Pool B tie, Kakungulu Memorial cruised to a 5-0 victory over Gayaza High School in an all-Ugandan affair. In boys’ volleyball, Kenyan champions Chemasisi High School made a dream debut at the regional stage, outclassing compatriots Matiliku Boys High School 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) in their preliminary match.
It was, however, a tough start for debutants ACK Chepsaita Boys High School, who lost a five-set thriller to Ugandan outfit Namugongo. Namugongo held their nerve when it mattered most to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory, winning 25-21, 21-25, 16-25, 25-19, 15-11 as the brave Kenyans went down fighting. In rugby 15s, national champions Upper Hill School underlined their credentials as title favourites after beating Uganda’s St Mary’s Kisubi 25-12 in a thrilling encounter. Shavan Ochieng, Richard Omondi, Abdalla Mohammed and Shakur Ndarira crossed the whitewash for Upper Hill, while Benjamin Echeru added a penalty and a conversion.
Kelvin Alipio and Andrew Kizito scored Kisubi’s two tries, with Trey Gateja converting once. Upper Hill’s captain Chris Wekesa said: “The game was good. We agreed with my teammates that we must win our opening game. We are focusing on the ultimate prize, the trophy.”
In another match played at Sokoine University of Agriculture, defending champions Kisii School began their title defence with a heavy victory over Uganda’s Namilyango College.
In boys’ football, debutants St Mary’s School Yala suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to 13-time champions St Mary’s School Kitende of Uganda, while Kakamega lost 2-1 to Uganda’s Kyadondo. In the girls’ category, national champions St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Tanzania’s Alliance Girls played out a goalless draw.
