Champs Aga Khan show title credential at Mombasa games
By Harrison Kivisu, March 13, 2020Reigning coast region boys’ basketball champions Aga Khan Academy became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals after winning two of their opening matches as the Mombasa County Secondary School games kicked off at the Shimo La Tewa School yesterday.
Aga Khan humiliated debutants Mtopanga 37-01 to register their first gigantic win before hitting underdogs Mt Sinai from Likoni 50-13 in their second Pool A match to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Aga Khan coach Kimani Jimna, who steered the team last year, expressed confidence in his side advancing to the regional games in Kwale later this month because of the extensive training they have undergone.
Aga Khan represented the country at the East Africa games in Mwanza, Tanzania last year and Jimna says they are going for nothing short of the regional trophy this time around.
“We have the best facilities in the region and that has enabled us train well so we are seeing ourselves through to the regional games.
We have the best team in the tournament because I have four players who helped us shine in 2019 school competitions,” Jimna told People Sport after yesterday’s matches.
However, their title credentials will come under scrutiny when they take on St Charles Lwanga of Changamwe who also experienced an easy ride by humbling debutants Mt Sinai 20-0 points in their first Pool A encounter.
Hosts Shimo La Tewa took advantage of their home support to dismantle perennial rivals Mombasa Baptist 28-26 in another nail-biting encounter played at the same venue.
Mombasa Baptist, from Tudor, were seen as the favourites but luck was not on their side as their opponents capitalised on the defensive mistakes they committed.
In other boys’ basketball matches played yesterday, Moi Forces Academy hammered Kajembe High School 21-08 in their first match of Group B.
In the girls’ category, Mama Ngina won by 20-0 against Moi Forces Academy in their first match while Aga Khan Academy beat Mt Sinai 37-02. The event continues today with several matches lined up.