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Lynette Matheka in Arusha

After losing to holders Kirandich in the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) final, former handball champions Kamusinga Girls are keen to clinch the elusive Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associate (FEASSSA) at the ongoing games in Arusha, Tanzania.

The 2016 East African champions started their competition by beating ES Kiziguro of Rwanda 21-15. They take on the defending champions Kibuli of Uganda in their next match as they seek to avenge their loss in the last two finals.

“Our opponents used crosses to attack and it took some time for my players to learn their tricks. There will be a huge difference in attack and defence in the next match,” said Kamusinga coach Godfrey Simuyu.

The two-time East Africa champions will be up against holders Kibuli today, a must-win for Simuyu’s charges. 

“We lost in the 2017 and 2018 finals to the same team by an identical margin of a single goal. We have since learned their game and if they don’t have a different game plan, we will win that match. However, we are not focusing on Kibuli but taking it one match at a time as we fight for the title we last won in 2016 at home in Eldoret,” added Simuyu.

In the boys’ category, national holders Kimilili shook off their opening loss of 29-28 to Kigoma of Rwanda to beat Tanzania’s Vwawa 33-12.

Owing to the late start of the handball programme on Saturday, Kimilili were forced to play the second half of the first match yesterday morning. Most of their key players had been suspended for two minutes in the first half and they found themselves playing catch-up.

Meanwhile, three tries and a conversion from Dagoretti captain Benson Salem and a try each for Kimani Njenga, Gravine George and Gilbert Odhiambo handed the side their second win, at 32-5 against Kangaru School.

Dagoretti had picked their first win, a 60-0 against Ntaare in the seven-team round robin rugby 15s competition. They face, what could be their toughest match this morning, when they take on national champions Kakamega, who overpowered Kangaru 46-0, in a all Kenyan affair.

In football, Kenyan sides Itigo Girls, who are making a comeback to the regional stage since 2006, and boys’ debutants Dagoretti played their first matches of the championship sharing the spoils in 1-1 against Tanzania’s Alliance and Ruwuiko respectively.

Aisha Hamisi opened the scoring in the 15th minute with Eunice Jepleting equalising for Itigo in the 24th minute while in the boys’ contest, Dagoretti’s Paul Odhiambo gave his side the lead in the eighth minute but the hosts levelled through Neva Kaboma in the 75th minute.