Coast champs picked
By Harrison.Kivisu, July 25, 2023Serani Boys from Mombasa and Kombani Girls from Kwale are the Coast region football champions after lifting the secondary school games trophy during the competition that ended over the weekend at the Voi Secondary School grounds in Taita Taveta County.
Serani defended their title after a 1-0 slim win against arch-rivals Shimba Hills of Kwale County during a nail-biting boys’ final match. Following the win, Serani will now proceed to national games; with an unbeaten run in all the matches they have played. Red-hot Salim Ali’s goal – four minutes to the end of extra time – was enough to grant his team a chance to qualify for the national games. This was after a 0-0 draw in regular time.
“We have secured our slot to the nationals, and Kibiwott, Chepngetich take honours at Nandi Re-discover 10km road race we are hoping to work hard for this, Our opponents were more physical but my side remained resilience, we have managed to defend the title, this is a big achievement, and our focus is now in the national games, and we promise to give opponents a run of their money,” said Swaleh Abdalla Sunda, Serani’s head coach.
The teams had earlier met in preliminary matches of group A where Serani hammered Shimba Hills 3-1. However, hopes for Shimba to redeem them fizzled out, thanks to the late extra-time goal.
Shimba Hills coach Alex Shikanga promised to fight another day. Debutants Kombani Girls, on their side, also humiliated Minha 3-1 to emerge as the new champions during the final match in girls’ football, and will now be flying the regional flag at the national games to be held in Kakamega in August this year.
Kombani scored their goals; thanks to good play from Mwanajuma Juma, Dorcas Nelly and Salma Shadrack who performed exemplary in the entire tournament. The Kwale champions have promised to pull a surprise in the national arena.
“We will work hard to perfect ourselves ahead of the national games, the task ahead is bigger but we are determined and high-spirited,” said Kombani girls football head coach Mikasa Amboko, while expressing optimism that his charges will prosper.
In the volleyball category, Mwaluphamba Secondary School of Kwale lifted the regional trophy after eliminating Vitengeni Secondary School of Kilifi by 3-1 sets in the final match. Kaya Tiwi of Kwale retained their girls’ netball crown after a very inspiring performance where they edged out St Charles Lwanga secondary school of Mombasa by 64-04 points.
In basketball (boys category), defending champions Dr Aggrey were shocked after suffering a 21-14 points humiliating defeat from their Taita counterparts Timbila Secondary in the 3 by 3 basketball match. In the girls’ volleyball, Kaya Tiwi outshone Kilifi’s Vitangani by 5-4 points to clinch the 3 by 3 basketball crown.